< Deuteronomy 7 >

The Promised Land was occupied by seven nations who had become increasingly wicked, and God had waited four hundred years for “their iniquity to become full” Genesis 15:16.Genesis 15:16XWaiting for response Israel were especially warned against making political or marital alliances with them. Israel were “a holy people”, a nation separated by God from the other nations of the earth. Christians are invited to become members of this special nation and are so described by Peter 1 Peter 2:9.1 Peter 2:9XWaiting for response

God did not choose Israel for their size of population but because of his love for them and because of the promises he had made to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God is severe to the wicked,v.10Deuteronomy 7:10XWaiting for response but when people love and obey him he is loving and merciful to them. His attitude to people can affect their children in succeeding generations, in the case of Abraham to a thousand generations.v.9Deuteronomy 7:9XWaiting for response The promise of God was made to Abraham and his seed, which is Christ (Galatians 3:16)Galatians 3:16XWaiting for response and if we become Christ’s by belief and baptism we are counted as Abraham’s seed and are blessed by God, even though we live thousands of years after him. This is conditional on our being like Abraham in our love and obedience to the LORD.

Israel were commanded to obey the LORD. If they did so they would successfully inherit the land and live safely therein. Likewise, if we obey God’s commandments we will inherit the land with Jesus and live with him for ever.