Chosen in Love

Deuteronomy 7: 1-26

The Great Covenant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Max A Forsythe

Introduction:  Is it providential that our chapter seven is being studied at this time in world history?  At least two of my commentators use the word “war” in their entitlement of the first portion of this chapter.   Even more uncanny to the worldly mind would be the editorial comment of Tabletalk magazine for Tuesday, 11 September 2001:  “The tower of Shechem must have been a massive structure to hold a thousand people.  But it was a worthless refuge for those who trusted in idols.”  The text of the study details the purposeful destruction of that tower by fire.  Matthew Henry is quoted in that context:  “Thus, when God makes us of men as instruments in His hand to do His work, He means one thing and they another (Isaiah 10: 6-7).”

Let those words of Matthew Henry influence our understanding of God’s Holy War against the people of Palestine.  Now, I am going to go out on a limb here, having not heard any popular media commentators making these specific points from the events of last week, but nevertheless – they are points that we need to begin with in explaining this text and our current events to an already jaded twenty-first century.

Look carefully at the first verse and a half of Chapter Seven in our text for today.  “When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them.”

Two points that I want to draw from the text.  First, in the phrase “hast cast out many nations before you”, I would think that any of the local people who may have departed from danger and run from the land for their very lives could well have been spared.  Even as almost ninety per cent of those in the World Trade Center ran for their lives, common sense would have caused some portion of those in Palestine to move on to safer territories.  Even in our land today, there are very many Middle Easterners who have relocated to America precisely because they would rather live here in peace and prosperity than remain terrorized and insecure in poverty in their homelands.  If the news is accurate, at least half of the residents of the Afghan capital have decided to take extended vacations into the hills, mountains and border areas for the time being.  So would common sense dictate a certain amount of people casting themselves out because of their growing fear of the God of Israel.

Second, as we can read throughout Joshua, Judges and the rest of the covenant record in the Old Testament, the people of Israel were not as likely to be as blood-thirsty as they were commanded to be.  In addition, there were come cities and areas where they were allowed to take captives alive, just so long as they did not intermarry with them.  In other places, only the pagan high places were destroyed and elements of the local tribes left in peace to co-exist with their newly dominant Israelite neighbors.  Thus we must understand that the Holy War of our God is not only specific but also symbolic.

Dr Thompson agrees in his comments on this chapter:  “Some commentators have suggested that the injunction in verse two was an ideal, not always carried into effect, but remaining as a divine command in order to provide a vivid picture of how completely Israel ought to reject all compromise.”  In another paragraph, he observes:  “Presumably the entire enemy was not slain during the Holy War, because further instructions forbid Israel to enter into a covenant with the inhabitants of the land or to undertake marriage arrangements with them, lest they weaken the allegiance of Israel to Yahweh.”

“The divinely ordered genocide” is “the outcome of God’s action to accomplish both His judgment on wicked nations and His purposes of redemption for His people.”

So, let any worldly feelings of sympathy for the poor wicked Palestinians be assuaged that the God of Heaven is patient, even those who flee from His wrath in this life may have an opportunity to benefit from the common graces of living and loving in this life.  But, any earthly symbolisms in these matters are another thing completely in the life to come!  Let any – like the wicked pagans of Palestine – who have survived earthly disasters is aware that unless they repent and turn to Him like those of true Israel, He will accomplish a certain final destruction in eternity.

Old Covenant Milieu:  A third point comes to mind in the context of what must come to pass when Israel crosses over into the Promised Land.  Those who militantly resist God’s will in transferring ownership of Palestine may and must be slaughtered on the field of battle.  Just as our President has offered an invitation to those who would die for their ungodly principles to come out fighting – he has assured them that we will be pleased to accommodate their death wishes.  This hard principle is only the best of battle wisdom – well understood by a master-warrior: George S Patton Jr.  “Georgie’s” theme for battle was beautifully illustrated in the non-historic summation of his battle wisdom in the patriotically staged speech for the movie made in his memory: Patton. 

And what we have here in these verses before us is such an admonition and injunction.  When you close with the enemy – destroy him utterly.  At the end of World War Two, a study was done to discover which American generals were statistically the most careful of their trooper’s lives.  Guess what – statistically George S Patton lost a smaller percentage of his men in battle than any other American general!  How could old “blood and guts” accomplish that?  Very simply – when in combat he drove his troops hard – to do their very best job in their temporary calling as warriors.

And so as the Israelite militia hardened itself for combat, their spiritual mediator and political steward for the God of heaven prepares their souls for the march of conquest.  Yes, it is God who grants the victory – but it is the common Hebrew warrior who must face the enemy day in and day out.

Now, we must always remember that different commentators, pastors and teachers see different lessons in the same texts to encourage their people in different times, places and circumstances.  Little did I realize last spring how appropriate our texts would turn out to be.  In fact, this whole series was delayed in starting several times over.  Earlier in the spring I was afraid that this whole concept of any holiness in war would sound strained and out of place in our day and age.  Recent developments in this regard have really encouraged me to think more of preaching a series on the second coming!

While we may take that in a sense of humor, we must remember that God is indeed planning such an event.  We should also be aware that the whole biblical theme of a Promised Land is symbolically aimed at reinforcing the doctrines of our future heavenly home.  We like the people of Israel should always keep that in the back of our minds.  To that end, Dr Raymond Brown would outline this chapter’s admonishments in this manner:  “It was of supreme importance that [the people of Israel] should know God but they must also know who they are and what he wanted them to be.  God’s plan was that they should live in the land as his holy, chosen and secure people.”

He then goes on to outline this chapter according to that threefold admonishment. 

  1. Holiness                Deut 7: 1-6

  2. Chosen                  Deut 7: 6-16

  3. Secure                   Deut 7: 17-26

Now, it may seem strange to examine holiness in the context of warfare.  Yet, if a war be just in all its parts according to biblical standards than those who wage war do so if not in the very Name of God, then at least in accordance with His righteous laws, ordinances and regulations.  Many of these principles, but certainly not all, have been diplomatically negotiated between nations for at least the last century or more.  The Laws of War are recognized by most civilized nations.  Those who operate outside those humane laws are the very rogues who have attacked America and terrorized the Arabic populations for several generations.  Islam itself, in its systems of laws very carefully defines what constitutes a holy war.  Principles, almost all of which were violated last week.

Specifically in the context of our passage in Deuteronomy, the people of Israel are declared a holy people, see verse six:  “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”  Dr Brown quotes another commentator:  “AS R.E. Clements points out, holiness in Deuteronomy ‘is an established fact, not a spiritual ambition.  Israel is holy by virtue of the specially tight bond which binds it to God ... this link was forged by God and not by the members of Israel ...  It was commanded to keep the law because it was a holy people, and not because it hoped to become one ... Israel’s holiness is an act of God not an act of man.’”

Dr Brown continues in his own words:  “Likewise, Christian sanctification begins not with what we do but with what God has done.  It is important to observe that one of the most important New Testament names for Christians is ‘saints’; the word is derived from this same source, ‘to make holy’.  It denotes those who are set apart....”

Those transitional thoughts bring us to the second half of verse six and the second portion of chapter seven.  Verses six through sixteen details the chosen nature of God’s holy people.  My father used to comment on certain families that had gone to seed.  By that he meant – in a generation’s short time, the family standards and reputation were dissipated by a younger element that affirmed not the fifth commandment and chose to live as if they were mere pagans.  A wholesome family in another state were suddenly the scandal of their township when their son, “borrowed” some township funds from the accounts for which he was responsible.  The father and mother were ruined as well, because they had to sell out to reimburse the township to keep their son out of the jail cell he so richly deserved.  He was very fortunate that the township wanted their money back more than they wanted justice.  The whole family found it necessary to pick up lock-stock-and-barrel and move six states away to begin all over.

Now, surprise – the family in question was fairly solid Christians.  Yes, just as the scriptures point out here in these verses, God could have chosen others.  Abraham tried to pass off his beautiful wife Sarah as his sister; he and she also connived to arrange a second marriage to accomplish the Lord’s promise.  Jacob, stole by fair means and foul property that belonged to others, he even lied to attain the family birthright.  Judah visited a prostitute and lived a life less saintly than he ought to have.  Joseph enjoyed being the favorite son and used his power to toy with his brothers before admitting who he really was.  David murdered a brave warrior to attain a wife whose adultery could be discovered in the birth of their first son.

Of course, we could go on and on, and no doubt – if you take the period of confession seriously each Lord’s Day, you could add sins of your own.  Calvin, Luther, Cromwell and all the others in Christ’s Church are saints because God has chosen them.  As Moses clearly declares here in these verses, the God of heaven and earth could have chosen someone else!

The third issue here is the security of the covenant people.  Eternal security, or perseverance of the saints – if you will have the words of our confession – is indeed a blessing that enables the elect of every tribe and nation to be all that God expects them to be.  Verse eighteen is important in this respect:  “You shall not be afraid... but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.”

I didn’t take any notes, but within the last two weeks I remember reading that a barely preserved chariot wheel was recently dredged up in the shallow end of the red sea!  Just as we understood from our text in Joshua last week, Rahab reported that the peoples of Palestine had heard all that had befallen Pharaoh and they were scared almost senseless.  Only wage the Holy War that the Lord commands and He will accomplish His will and through that precious and holy will, you will be blessed.

Just as the Lord is promising to bless and take care of His people, so the people were to accomplish His will, and in the accomplishment of God’s will, the interests of their children will be served as well.  Certainly, very many Israelite warriors were wounded or killed in the campaigns of conquest, what had they to gain from such an enterprise?  Their children and grandchildren would have lands of their own, something that the slave people who left Egypt had never had.  The Israelite descendents would not have to wander in the desert, but have a settled life with all the pleasant joys of regular crops and livestock.

Johnny Cash used to sing a song about a derelict father who knew he had nothing of use to pass onto his little boy, so he gave him a name that would harden his growing years and promote his independence.  A Boy Named Sue was the amusing title of that county-western hogwash.  And yet, there in that amusement the man in black stumbled onto an ongoing primal theme of humanity – the desire for one’s children to have as much if not more than their parents were able to accomplish. 

Parents are not always blessed with such common sense goals: once I was asked to talk to a young lady who was only a few weeks away from graduating with a cosmetology license.  Her new fiance was a fundamentalist with very limited abilities who, supported by his church demanded that she should have no means of supporting herself.  Because of her age, the family could have protected her from this scandel for enough weeks to guarantee her license.  My job was to sit down with the girl and pastorally engage her common sense and to encourage her to take the license that was just waiting to be hers by her own accomplishment for almost two years of hard and dedicated work.  She didn’t have to use the license of course, but if she had one – and her future husband was injured, la id off or taken away to war – she might have something to fall back on.  I never got to talk with the young lady, she became convinced that she didn’t even need a High School Diploma – and so she dropped out with less than three weeks to go!

Yes, there is a lot here in this passage, ideas and concepts that could be drawn out and applied in many and various ways.  Obedience to the Lord may very well appear to bring blessings from His gracious hand.

New Covenant Continuum:  These themes of this seventh chapter of Deuteronomy are no strangers in the New Testament, as we shall soon see.  The concepts of holiness, election and perseverance are all part and parcel of the call and covenant of grace as it is administered in love by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for our salvation.

I have a new book, which I have almost devoured in less than two days.  It is The Call of Grace, written by Norman Shepherd and available through the Presbyterian & Reformed catalog.  The author has some sound observations that should be studied by everyone who believes they are evangelical or reformed.

“Frequently [the] promises made to Abraham are said to be unconditional. ... One author comments on Genesis 22 that the Lord ‘now pledges himself on oath, and unconditionally, to do for Abraham all that he had originally promised.’...”

“The Abrahamic Covenant is then set over against the Mosaic covenant, thought of as a legalistic covenant, in which you are saved by keeping this republished covenant of works perfectly, without any exception.  In this way, the Mosaic covenant serves as a proof text for legalism.  At the same time, the Abrahamic covenant serves as a proof text for antinomianism.”

The author goes on to demonstrate that there were indeed conditions imposed on the promise to Abraham, for example – the first generation out of Egypt never entered into the promised land because they violated the spirit and demands of the covenant.  He also details the promise and grace in the Great Covenant given through Moses.  Shepherd goes on:  “In Ephesians 2:12, Paul says that the Gentiles who have come to faith in Christ were at one time ‘separate from Christ ... and foreigners to the covenants of the promise.’”  Did you hear that phrase “covenants of the promise”, there is a plurality there that includes the promises to Abraham and the laws through Moses, which are totally consistent one with the other.

We have only to make the transition to the fully revealed Covenant administered by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is a covenant that is not radically different in spirit from that revealed throughout the Old Testament.  Shepherd observes:  “In the Mosaic covenant, the Lord did not establish a covenant of works with his people.  He did not establish a covenant on the basis of a principle that is the very opposite of that on which the Abrahamic covenant is founded.”

No indeed, the Great Covenant is aptly described by the New International Version translation of Deuteronomy 7: 9:  “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.”

Contemporary Application: All three of the covenants under discussion today include both promise and obligation.  There is no conflict between James and the other Apostles as all too many presume.  There is no conflict between Paul and the other Apostles as many, many others presume.  The love of God is revealed in and through all of the scriptures.  There is indeed One Gospel of Grace throughout the whole of both Testaments.  The only thing that we have to have clearly in mind is this fact:  the promise precedes the obligation.  We are holy because God accomplishes that in and through Christ.  We are chosen in love because God tells us that is how we are saved.  We are secure in our salvation because we can trust the promises of the One and only True Creator God who shows us how to live a live of holiness lived in obedience to His rightful and just commands.  We live and move and have our being because He first loved us – now as Moses would tell the Israelites – it is a dark and dangerous world out there, you may have some dangerous things to live through from time to time, but the promise of eternity is yours because God has said so – therefore prove His love by living a life that is not only pleasing to Him, but one that reflects His great and awesome glory before the world.  Amen!

Resources Used:    

Copyright (C) 2001                             Christ Covenant Reformed (Presbyterian Church in America)                                     

      23 September  2001                       Box 13926 - Columbus, Ohio 43213-8049

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Resources Used:

Copyright (C) 2001                             Christ Covenant Reformed (Presbyterian Church in America)

    00 September 2001                           Box 13926 - Columbus, Ohio 43213-8049                       m4syth@tulip.org

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Permission granted to redistribute unedited versions with this notice.