instructions from God. One of the most profound was His order to totally annihilate the seven nations, which comprised Canaan. But the Israelites did not comply. According to Judges Chapter one, Judah was unable to drive out the people of the plains; the Benjamites failed to dislodge the Jebusites; Manesseh; Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan also failed in this mission, opting instead to dwell right alongside the people whom God had commanded them to destroy. During this time in their history, Israel “did as they saw fit.” As a result, God sold them to their enemies whom they were no longer able to resist. Interestingly, just as there were seven nations to conquer, there are also seven things that are abominable to God.
They are: haughty eyes; lying tongue; hands that shed innocent blood; a heart that devises wicked schemes; feet that rush into evil; a false witness; and one who stirs up dissension (Pro.6). If, like the Israelites, we choose to allow any of these abominations to dwell among us, then we run the risk of walking outside of God’s assured protection. Though the names of the nations may not immediately correlate
with these seven sins, there is a lesson to be learnt from their failure to drive out the nations. God specifically said: “…make no treaty with them and show them no
mercy.” Let us therefore, heed His word! Our victories are hinged upon
them.
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