Read Deuteronomy 7:17–26
Questions from the Scripture text: Where might they speak (v17)? What might they say? What does v18 command against this? In order to counter their fear, what should they remember (v18b–19a)? What are they to conclude about the future situation (v19b)? Even whom will He destroy, in what way (v20)? What command does v21 repeat? What ground does it now give for their courage? How quickly will YHWH drive out those nations (v22)? Why? How completely will He do so (v23)? How powerfully (v24)? But what must they do (v25)? And not do? Why not? What will happen if they don’t heed this? So what must they do to the abominations?
Why mustn’t we fear? Deuteronomy 7:17–26 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that fear is the enemy of faith and obedience, but confidence in YHWH is their friend.
Moses continues to warn them against idolatry. Apparently, one of the things that can keep us from the fierce struggle required to exterminate idolatry is fear. So, v18 warns not to fear; v19 assures them of YHWH’s elimination of those whom they fear; and v21, again, commands them not to fear.
How are they to combat fear?
Remember YHWH’s past acts of power and salvation, which are themselves signs (v19a). And has not the Lord done greater, now, in the incarnation, death, resurrection, ascension, and enthronement of Christ? Keep these in mind, that you might not fear in your efforts in the Christian life.
Remember YHWH’s promise to do the same in the future (v19b). Those whom He justified, He also glorified (Rom 8:30).
Remember YHWH’s sovereign control over all things; even the hornets are under His command (v20). There is not aa creature, not circumstance, not a molecule in all creation, except that He is working it unto the end of your inheriting with Christ (cf. Eph 1:11).
Remember YHWH’s covenant presence: He is their God, He is the great God, and He is among them (v21). He has come to be with us in His Son, by His Spirit (cf. Gal 4:4–6), and He is with us always, even to the end of the age (cf. Mt 28:18–20).
Remember YHWH’s compassion; He knows their frame, and so He will destroy the enemy according to pacing that takes everything about their abilities and their circumstances into account (v22). He understands your weakness better than you do. And He has anticipated every difficulty and every danger in your life.
Remember YHWH’s faithfulness; He will persist in the work that He has begun until it is completed (v23). He Who has begun the good work will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (cf. Php 1:6).
Remember YHWH’s power; no one can stand against Him (v24). He that is in you is greater than He that is in the world (cf. 1Jn 4:4).
There is, however, one thing to fear. Sinning. In particular, idolatry. Don’t try to benefit from it or adapt it for your own purposes even a little bit. They were not to try to recover even the silver or gold from the idols (v25). Anything associated with it, they were to hate because God Himself abominates it (v26). We must be ruthless with all sin, and especially with idolatry. Whatever the Lord abominates, we must “utterly detest” and “utterly abhor,” lest we be doomed to destruction with those things that God must surely destroy. No detestable thing can enter glory (cf. Rev 21:27).
What should you be ruthlessly destroying? What struggles/battles may feel too fierce for you? How are you going about remembering YHWH’s salvation, promises, sovereignty, presence, compassion, faithfulness, and power? What are some examples of manmade worship that must be completely eradicated as an accursed thing?
Sample prayer: Lord, we thank You and praise You for Your sovereign and merciful work in saving us. Give us never to fear defeat, and always to hate idolatry. Make us to destroy every last remaining vestige of it from our life. Thus, grant us to come into the full inheritance that You have lovingly determined for us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP24 “The Earth and the Riches” or TPH434 “A Debtor to Mercy Alone”