Deuteronomy 7:17-19
“If you say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I. How can I dispossess them?’ you shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm, by which the LORD your God brought you out. So will the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just about feeling overwhelmed by impossible odds; it highlights the danger of letting those feelings take root in your heart. This internal dialogue of doubt, of questioning God's power based on appearances, is where the real battle begins before any fighting even starts.
As the Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land, God anticipates their fear and doubt. He knows that the mighty nations already living there, with their established cities and armies, will seem overwhelmingly powerful. This verse captures the internal struggle they might face, wondering how they, a relatively small group, could possibly defeat such formidable peoples.
When faced with overwhelming challenges, it's natural to feel small and inadequate. But Scripture reveals a God who delights in showing His strength through our weakness.
The verse presents a common human reaction: doubt fueled by perceived inadequacy. The Israelites, about to enter the Promised Land, might look at the powerful nations already there and think, 'These people are too strong for us. How can we possibly win?' This isn't just a logistical problem; it's a heart issue, a crisis of faith.
God anticipated this very thought. He knew the temptation would be to rely on their own strength or to fear the might of their enemies. The commentary highlights that these are 'secret thoughts,' 'misgivings,' and 'fears and doubts' that arise 'in the heart.' The danger isn't just in what is spoken aloud, but in what is truly believed within.
God's response, woven throughout Deuteronomy, is to remind them of His past faithfulness and His present power. He doesn't dismiss their fears but redirects their focus from the overwhelming odds to the One who has already demonstrated His almighty power on their behalf.
Why didn't God just wipe out the enemy nations instantly? The answer is rooted in His wisdom for Israel's long-term spiritual health.
While the Israelites might have wished for an immediate, sweeping victory, God's plan for dispossessing the Canaanites was gradual. He states in Deuteronomy 7:22 that He would 'put out those nations before you little by little.' This wasn't because God couldn't do it all at once, but because of what Israel needed.
A sudden, complete removal of all opposition might have left the land vulnerable to wild animals increasing upon them (Deuteronomy 7:22). More importantly, the commentaries stress that a swift end to the conflict could have led to a premature sense of security and a greater risk of the Israelites falling into the pervasive idolatry and corrupt practices of the nations they were meant to conquer. God's incremental approach was a form of spiritual protection, preventing them from being overwhelmed by the 'snare' of false worship that had doomed the existing inhabitants.
This gradual process also served as a continuous faith-builder, requiring them to rely on God's power step-by-step, rather than experiencing a single, overwhelming miraculous event that might later be forgotten.
Understand the original words
yarash · Hebrew Verb
To take possession of land or inheritance by driving out the current inhabitants, often used in the context of Israel taking the Promised Land.
lebab · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the seat of intellect, will, and emotion; the core of human decision-making and character.
yare · Hebrew Verb
The feeling of dread or terror; in a biblical context, often contrasted with the command to trust in God's power.
zakar · Hebrew Verb
The practice of calling to mind God's past redemptive acts to bolster present faith and obedience.
This passage shows Caleb, who was one of the spies sent into Canaan, expressing a similar sentiment of confidence despite facing seemingly insurmountable giants, reminding us that God's power is the ultimate factor, not human strength.
Judges 1:19Here, Judah had a similar challenge with the inhabitants of the plain who had chariots of iron; the text states the Lord was with them and drove them out, echoing God's enablement despite the perceived strength of the enemy.
1 Samuel 17:45-47David's confrontation with Goliath exemplifies this principle, where he rebukes the giant for his arrogance and declares that the battle belongs to the Lord, directly addressing the fear of overwhelming opposition.
2 Kings 6:15-17Elisha's servant, like the Israelites, was terrified by the surrounding enemy army, but Elisha prayed that his eyes would be opened to see the heavenly host that confirmed God's protective presence, highlighting that God's power is unseen but more than sufficient.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10Paul speaks of God's power being made perfect in weakness, illustrating the New Testament concept that our limitations become opportunities for God's strength to be displayed, which directly counters the thought that the enemy's greater numbers or power is the decisive factor.
gillDeuteronomy 7:17: "If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?"
If thou shall say in thine heart,.... Should have secret thoughts arise in the heart, misgivings of heart, fears and doubts there, which, though not outwardly expressed, might be inwardly retained: these nations are more than I; seven to one, and perhaps anyone of them as powerful as Israel: how can I dispossess them? of the land they inherit, and take possession of it.
cambridgeDeuteronomy 7:17: "If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?"
17 . say in thine heart ] say to thyself , or think , or imagine ; but with the force of really think , Deuteronomy 9:4 , Deuteronomy 18:21 .
The verse isn't just about feeling overwhelmed by impossible odds; it highlights the danger of letting those feelings take root in your heart. This internal dialogue of doubt, of questioning God's power based on appearances, is where the real battle begins before any fighting even starts.
As the Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land, God anticipates their fear and doubt. He knows that the mighty nations already living there, with their established cities and armies, will seem overwhelmingly powerful. This verse captures the internal struggle they might face, wondering how they, a relatively small group, could possibly defeat such formidable peoples.
As the Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land, God anticipates their fear and doubt. He knows that the mighty nations already living there, with their established cities and armies, will seem overwhelmingly powerful. This verse captures the internal struggle they might face, wondering how they, a relatively small group, could possibly defeat such formidable peoples.
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massah · Hebrew Noun
Testing or proving experiences allowed by God to reveal character and strengthen faith.
oth · Hebrew Noun
Miraculous events or displays of divine power designed to authenticate God's message and authority.
mopheth · Hebrew Noun
Extraordinary acts that evoke awe or astonishment, demonstrating God’s intervention in history.
yad chazaqah · Hebrew Noun phrase
An anthropomorphic expression of God's active power and strength applied to historical events.
zeroa netuyah · Hebrew Noun phrase
An anthropomorphic expression signifying God's ability and willingness to act decisively to deliver His people.
"“If you say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I. How can I dispossess them?’ you shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, the great trials that your eyes saw, t…" — The verse isn't just about feeling overwhelmed by impossible odds; it highlights the danger of letting those feelings take root in your heart. This internal dialogue of doubt, of questioning God's…
