"For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do...then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you..." (Deuteronomy 11:22-23).
Doesn't that contradict Deuteronomy 9:4-5 and yesterday's post?
In chapter 9, Moses tells the people it's because of God's righteousness and God's promise that He will drive out all the nations. Now, just a few minutes later in the same sermon, Moses says that if they obey, then the LORD will drive them out.
Has Moses spent too much time in the desert?
Did God change His mind?
Is it all about God? Or all about Israel's obedience?
Or is it 50-50? God will do His part, if Israel obeys?
The beginning of the chapter is important for understanding this apparent contradiction. Moses had recounted incidences of Israel's rebellion and God's acts of power in chapters 9 and 10.
Chapter 11 begins, "You shall therefore love the LORD your God and keep His charge..."
Israel's rebellion. God's greatness. Therefore, love and obey.
Their rebellion was an evidence of their lack of love.
God's great acts of deliverance was an evidence of His plan and promise - in spite of Israel's rebellion.
Israel's proper response is not to continue in disobedience, but to love and obey.
God is great, faithful and loving, even when His children choose to disobey.
The response is not to continue to rebel, because God is going to be great, faithful and loving anyway.
The proper response is to love and obey. Turn from the rebellion because God is great, faithful and loving.
God was going to drive out the nations, because it was time to punish their sin and to keep His promise to Abraham.
Israel's choice to obey and love God was not going to change God's plan.
So why this condition? "If you obey, I will drive out the nations."
Anyone got a solution?
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