Deuteronomy 2-3, 7, 9, 20, 25. Israel Commanded to Destroy the Wicked

Read Deuteronomy 20:17 and make a list of the different nations the Lord identified in these verses. Then read Deuteronomy 2:15, 7:2, 12:2-3, and write a paragraph about what the Lord commanded Israel to do with these nations.

Answer: Different nations identified: The Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

The Lord commanded that these nations be destroyed until they were consumed. They were to be destroyed completely and Israel was to make no covenant with them plus show them no mercy. Everyplace was to be destroyed which included the mountains, hills, and under every green tree. Israel had to overthrow their alters, break their pillars, burn their groves with fire, and ruin the graven images of their gods. Basically, it sounded to me like a total annihilation of these wicked nations and nothing was to remain after the destruction.

Read Deuteronomy 9:4-5 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Deuteronomy 7:1-5, “Why Did the Lord Command the Israelites to Utterly Destroy the Canaanites?” (pg. 219). Add to your previous paragraph any other reasons why these nations were destroyed.

Answer: The Canaanites were a very idolatrous and wicked nation. They worshiped false gods and were very evil and this is why the Lord commanded the Israelites to utterly destroy the Canaanites.

Many of the sins found among the people living in Canaan are prevalent in today’s society. Write a paragraph explaining how you think we can protect ourselves from these sins.

Answer: We can protect ourselves from the sins committed by the Canaanites in today's world by simply choosing the right. This would include worshiping only God, obeying and following the commandments of Heavenly Father, being a righteous people, serving one another, etc. Things not to do would include being "of the world" instead of being "in the world", becoming proud and thinking you don't need God, being selfish and only thinking of yourself, etc. God is great and without Him a lot of things could not be accomplished.