Topic: Divine Love And Protection [Tuesday November 7, 2017]
Text: Deuteronomy 20:10-20
Key Verse: “That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 20:18).
The simple mind is often troubled to read some parts of the Bible where God directs His people ‘to smite’ their idolatrous neighbours and enemies ‘with the edge of the sword’ (Deuteronomy 20:13). Such people ask: Does God no longer love the work of His own hands? Such posers are triggered only when one looks at a small portion of the picture in God’s dealings with mankind.
Viewed from a wider perspective, one would appreciate that He always bears long until it is clear that such would not refrain from rebellion and idolatry (Genesis 15:16). God does not go out of His way to ask for the outright slaying of the Canaanites. In verses 10 and 11, He says there should be no war if the inhabitants of the Promised Land made peace with Israel. It was only where this condition was not met that Israel could smite them to save the land from being polluted by the heathen practices of the men and women of Canaan.
Being an impartial God, He would also not spare Israel if they went the way of the Canaanites. He wanted them to stay holy and serve Him only because He is “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Habakkuk 1:13). Indeed, Israel later fell into several snares and came under oppression for disobeying God’s commandment to deal squarely with the Canaanites.
God loves us such that He would go to great lengths to protect us. He demonstrated His compassion when He sent His only begotten Son to deliver us from the devices of the devil. He also reveals His love in the laws He gives to shield us from falling into worldly lifestyle. God’s love also manifests in the chastisement He metes out when we go astray or when He eliminates enemies who resist the gospel of Jesus.
Thought for the day: God’s protective love preserves.
Bible Reading in one Year: Isaiah 26-29
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
