Deuteronomy 7:22
The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little. You may not make an end of them at once, lest the wild beasts grow too numerous for you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse reveals a surprising layer to God's plan: He intentionally paces the conquest of Canaan not just for Israel's growth, but to prevent a specific, practical problem. The "little by little" approach is designed to keep the land populated enough to manage the wild animals that would otherwise multiply and become a danger.
God is instructing the Israelites about how they are to conquer the land He is giving them. He's telling them He will drive out the nations before them, but not all at once, explaining that this gradual process will prevent wild animals from overrunning the land. This follows His command to utterly destroy these peoples and not make covenants with them, emphasizing that the ongoing presence of these nations, even if diminished, poses a danger that requires continued vigilance.
Ever felt like you're not progressing fast enough in your faith journey or in overcoming challenges? This verse offers a divine perspective on timing.
God's plan for the Israelites wasn't to instantly annihilate their enemies. Instead, He promised to clear them away 'little by little.' This wasn't because Israel lacked the power, but because God was working on a timeline that suited their development and the land's readiness.
Why 'Little by Little'?
Sometimes, the reason for a delay isn't just about what's coming, but also about what might invade if things are left too empty.
The specific reason God cautioned against consuming the nations 'at once' was practical: 'lest the wild beasts grow too numerous for you.'
Understanding the 'Wild Beasts'
Understand the original words
nashal · Hebrew Verb
Refers to the process of being driven out, removed, or dispossessed from land, often used in the context of divine judgment upon the inhabitants of Canaan.
This passage directly parallels the reasoning in Deuteronomy, stating God will drive out the inhabitants 'little by little' to prevent the land from becoming desolate and overrun by wild animals.
Joshua 24:11-13This passage recounts how God helped Israel conquer the land, including driving out nations, echoing the gradual process described in Deuteronomy and emphasizing God's active role in their victory.
Romans 7:21-23Paul uses a similar concept of an internal struggle, describing the 'law in my members warring against the law of my mind,' which reflects the idea of sin (like the gentile nations in Canaan) being dealt with 'little by little' in a believer's life.
1 Corinthians 10:13This verse speaks to God's faithfulness in not allowing believers to be tempted beyond what they can bear, and always providing a way of escape. This connects to Deuteronomy's idea that God manages the conquest of the nations according to Israel's capacity, not overwhelming them at once.
gillDeuteronomy 7:22: "And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee."
And the Lord thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little,.... Which is observed for their encouragement, who seeing that all were not destroyed at once, might fear the work would never be thoroughly accomplished; see Exodus 23:30 , thou mayest not consume them at once; though it was in…
clarkeDeuteronomy 7:22: "And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee."
Put out those nations - by little and little - The Israelites were not as yet sufficiently numerous to fill the whole land occupied by the seven nations mentioned Deuteronomy 7:1 . And as wild and ferocious animals might be expected to multiply where either there are no inhabitants, or the place is but thinly…
This verse reveals a surprising layer to God's plan: He intentionally paces the conquest of Canaan not just for Israel's growth, but to prevent a specific, practical problem. The "little by little" approach is designed to keep the land populated enough to manage the wild animals that would otherwise multiply and become a danger.
God is instructing the Israelites about how they are to conquer the land He is giving them. He's telling them He will drive out the nations before them, but not all at once, explaining that this gradual process will prevent wild animals from overrunning the land. This follows His command to utterly destroy these peoples and not make covenants with them, emphasizing that the ongoing presence of these nations, even if diminished, poses a danger that requires continued vigilance.
God is instructing the Israelites about how they are to conquer the land He is giving them. He's telling them He will drive out the nations before them, but not all at once, explaining that this gradual process will prevent wild animals from overrunning the land. This follows His command to utterly destroy these peoples and not make covenants with them, emphasizing that the ongoing presence of these nations, even if diminished, poses a danger that requires continued vigilance.
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"The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little. You may not make an end of them at once, lest the wild beasts grow too numerous for you." — This verse reveals a surprising layer to God's plan: He intentionally paces the conquest of Canaan not just for Israel's growth, but to prevent a specific, practical problem. The "little by little" a…
