What does "little by little" reveal about God's strategy in Exodus 23:30? Little by Little: God’s Patient Plan “Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.” (Exodus 23:30) The Immediate Setting • Israel is camped at Sinai receiving covenant terms. • God promises to clear Canaan of its inhabitants, but not in one dramatic sweep. • Verse 29 explains the danger of a sudden vacuum: “otherwise the land would become desolate and the beasts of the field would multiply against you.” What ‘Little by Little’ Reveals about God’s Strategy • Progressive victory safeguards Israel’s welfare. God pairs supernatural intervention with natural, manageable growth. • It encourages steady dependence. Israel must keep trusting daily rather than coasting on one grand triumph. • It trains faithfulness. Obedience in repeated, smaller steps forges lasting character. • It allows fruitfulness to ripen. Israel’s population, agriculture, and infrastructure need time to expand so the land is not wasted. Reasons for the Gradual Approach • Population and stewardship – Israel’s numbers had to match the land’s size; premature ownership would invite “wild animals” (Deuteronomy 7:22). • Spiritual formation – Continuous battles would keep the nation alert to God’s presence (Judges 3:1–2). • Avoiding pride – Small-step progress guards the heart from boasting (De 8:17). • Demonstrating covenant faithfulness – Each successive victory verifies God’s promises (Joshua 23:14). Scriptures Echoing the Principle • Deuteronomy 7:22 – “The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little…” • Joshua 23:10 – “One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you…” • Proverbs 4:18 – “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.” • 2 Corinthians 3:18 – Transformation happens “with intensifying glory.” • Philippians 1:6 – God “will continue to perfect” the work He began. Implications for Israel’s Day-to-Day Life • Keep marching even when progress seems slow. • Celebrate incremental milestones; they prove God is still active. • Guard the territory already gained—no retreating to Egypt-mindset. • Cultivate the land and families concurrently; growth in one area supports the other. Living Out the Principle Today • Expect sanctification to unfold progressively; God often dismantles strongholds one layer at a time. • Partner with His timetable instead of demanding instant change. • Use each small victory as motivation for the next step of obedience. • Trust that the same God who orchestrated Israel’s conquest is perfecting His work “little by little” in every believer. |
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