Topical Bible: Heathen: Cast out of Canaan

◄ Heathen: Cast out of Canaan ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The term "heathen" in the biblical context often refers to the non-Israelite nations, particularly those inhabiting the land of Canaan before the Israelites' conquest. The casting out of these heathen nations is a significant event in the biblical narrative, illustrating God's judgment and the fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs.

Biblical Context

The land of Canaan, promised to Abraham and his descendants, was inhabited by various heathen nations, including the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These nations were characterized by idolatry and practices that were abominable in the sight of the Lord. In Genesis 15:16, God tells Abraham, "In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." This indicates that the expulsion of these nations was not only a fulfillment of God's promise but also an act of divine judgment against their wickedness.

Divine Command and Execution

The command to cast out the heathen nations is explicitly stated in the book of Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy 7:1-2 , God instructs the Israelites: "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you—and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must devote them to complete destruction."

The conquest of Canaan, led by Joshua, is detailed in the book of Joshua. The Israelites, under divine guidance, systematically defeated and dispossessed the heathen nations. Joshua 11:20 states, "For it was the LORD’s intention to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be completely destroyed without mercy and be annihilated, as the LORD had commanded Moses."

Theological Significance

The casting out of the heathen nations serves several theological purposes. It underscores the holiness of God and His intolerance of idolatry and sin. Leviticus 18:24-25 warns the Israelites, "Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its iniquity, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants."

Furthermore, the event highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His covenant promises. The land of Canaan was a tangible expression of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the expulsion of the heathen was necessary for the establishment of Israel as a holy nation set apart for God's purposes.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The command to destroy the heathen nations raises moral and ethical questions, particularly concerning the nature of divine justice and mercy. From a biblical perspective, the destruction of these nations is seen as a righteous act of judgment against pervasive sin and corruption. It serves as a warning to Israel and future generations about the consequences of turning away from God.

The Israelites were also instructed to avoid adopting the practices of the heathen nations. Deuteronomy 12:30-31 cautions, "Be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, ‘How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.’ You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates."

Legacy and Lessons

The casting out of the heathen from Canaan is a pivotal moment in Israel's history, shaping their identity as God's chosen people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the dangers of syncretism and idolatry. The narrative also foreshadows the ultimate victory over sin and evil through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and the prophets, bringing salvation to all nations.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 18:24,25
Defile not you yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 44:2
How you did drive out the heathen with your hand, and planted them; how you did afflict the people, and cast them out.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
... with, to be discovered, and confessed, and cast out by man ... God had brought His people
into Canaan with the ... preaching of the gospel to the heathen is paralysed ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter vi restraining prayer is.htm

The Harmony of the Gospels.
... tree wither, [312]161, etc.; casting out an unclean ... Cicero, speaks of the heathen
gods as deified ... Devils are cast out when nations renounce their superstitions ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/the harmony of the gospels.htm

Hope for the Heathen
... As God's purpose was lost sight of, the heathen came to be ... Isaiah 11:9. "The face
of the covering cast over all ... The Spirit of God was to be poured out upon all ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 31 hope for the.htm

"The House of Israel"
... were sold to serve as bondmen in heathen lands ... of divine grace in the earth made
new, the heavenly Canaan. ... and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 59 the house of.htm

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
... dispensed in his temple, the Lord cast out the wicked of ... To his people among the
heathen, even though ... throughout their whole journey to Canaan, and especially ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter x covenanting a privilege.htm

Psalm CVI.
... whom they offered unto the idols of Canaan" (ver.38). ... power, therefore, of the devil
having been cast out of them ... and gather us from among the heathen." Not, as ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cvi.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... up his bones to the land of Canaan into which ... His being hated and cast out by his
brethren is like ... marriage relation was respected by such heathen rulers as ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to ...
... the people not to attempt an occupation of Canaan; and though ... Solomon, violated God's
law and married heathen women who ... to heal the sick and to cast out demons ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter three the unmistakable honesty.htm

Book 4 Footnotes
... was the wickedness of the nations of Canaan, and nothing ... and that of nature; and
had cast out of their ... exposition than this of Josephus, of heathen gillis, as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 4 footnotes.htm

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
... instance, began with leading the Israelites out of Egypt ... and imprisoned him, then
they cast him into ... Nebuchadnezzar, the heathen king of Babylon and conqueror ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon ix jeremiah a lesson.htm