Bible Study: The Canaanites - Inhabitants of the Promised Land
Introduction:
The Canaanites are a significant group of people encountered throughout the Old Testament narrative, particularly in relation to the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. They were the inhabitants of the land of Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites. This study will explore who the Canaanites were, their significance in biblical history, and the lessons we can learn from their interactions with the people of God, drawing from the provided scripture passages.
Scripture Passages:
• Genesis 10:18: "and Arvadite, Zemarite, and Hamathite. Afterward the families of the Canaanites spread abroad."
• Exodus 33:2: "I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites."
• Exodus 34:11: "Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites."
• Deuteronomy 7:1: "When the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than you,"
• Joshua 5:1: "As soon as all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no spirit left in them because of the people of Israel."
• Joshua 17:12: "Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of these towns, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land."
• 1 Kings 9:16: "(Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up and captured Gezer and burned it with fire, and had killed its Canaanite inhabitants and given it as dowry to his daughter, Solomon's wife.)"
Observations and Discussion:
1. Descendants of Canaan (Genesis 10:18): This passage from the Table of Nations identifies the Canaanites as descendants of Canaan, who was a son of Ham (Genesis 10:6). This genealogical information places them within the broader context of the nations that arose after the flood. The phrase "the families of the Canaanites spread abroad" suggests their significant presence and expansion in the region that would later be known as Canaan.
2. Inhabitants of the Promised Land (Exodus 33:2, 34:11; Deuteronomy 7:1): These verses consistently list the Canaanites among the various nations inhabiting the land that God promised to Abraham's descendants. The repetition emphasizes the fact that the Israelites would be entering a land already occupied by established peoples. Deuteronomy 7:1 highlights that these nations, including the Canaanites, were "more numerous and mightier" than the Israelites, emphasizing the need for God's intervention and the importance of trusting in His power rather than their own strength.
3. A Source of Fear and Obstruction (Joshua 5:1; 17:12): Joshua 5:1 reveals the psychological impact of the Israelites' miraculous crossing of the Jordan River on the Canaanite kings. Their "hearts melted" due to fear, acknowledging the power of the God of Israel. However, Joshua 17:12 demonstrates that despite this initial fear, the Canaanites were not easily displaced. They "persisted in dwelling in that land," presenting a continued challenge and obstacle to the complete fulfillment of God's promise to Israel. This highlights the reality that even after God's powerful acts, human resistance and the presence of opposing forces can remain.
4. Interaction and Influence (1 Kings 9:16): This passage provides a glimpse into the ongoing interactions between the Israelites and the Canaanites even after the initial conquest. The fact that Pharaoh conquered a Canaanite city (Gezer) and gave it as a dowry to Solomon's wife indicates that Canaanite presence and identity persisted in the land. This suggests a complex relationship involving conflict, coexistence, and even integration to some extent. It also serves as a reminder that the command to completely drive out the Canaanites was not fully obeyed, leading to future challenges and temptations for Israel.
Key Themes and Lessons:
• God's Promise and the Reality of Opposition: God's promise to give the land of Canaan to Israel was clear. However, the presence of the Canaanites highlights that fulfilling God's promises often involves overcoming significant obstacles and opposition.
• The Need for Faith and Obedience: The fear of the Canaanites and the Israelites' failure to fully drive them out (as seen in Joshua 17:12 and implied in 1 Kings 9:16) underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands. Partial obedience can lead to ongoing challenges and compromise.
• The Nature of Spiritual Warfare: The Canaanites can be seen as representing the forces that oppose God's people and His will. Their presence in the promised land serves as a reminder that the journey of faith often involves spiritual battles against entrenched opposition.
• The Consequences of Compromise: The continued presence and influence of the Canaanites within Israelite territory ultimately led to syncretism and the adoption of Canaanite religious practices, which were often idolatrous and morally corrupt (as seen in other Old Testament passages). This serves as a warning against compromising with the world and its values.
• God's Sovereignty and Long-Term Plan: Despite the challenges posed by the Canaanites and Israel's failures, God remained sovereign and continued to work out His plan. The eventual assimilation or subjugation of the Canaanites over time demonstrates God's ultimate control over history.
Application:
As believers today, we may not face literal Canaanites, but we encounter various "Canaanites" in our lives – temptations, worldly influences, and internal struggles that hinder us from fully possessing the spiritual inheritance we have in Christ. Just as the Israelites were called to trust God and overcome the Canaanites, we are called to rely on God's strength, resist worldly pressures, and pursue complete obedience to His Word. The story of the Canaanites serves as a reminder that claiming God's promises often requires perseverance, faith, and a commitment to not compromise with the forces that oppose His will in our lives.
Conclusion:
The Canaanites played a significant role in the narrative of the Old Testament, representing both the inheritance promised to God's people and the formidable obstacles they faced in claiming it. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges that come with following God, the importance of unwavering faith and obedience, and the potential consequences of compromise. By studying their interactions with Israel, we can gain valuable insights into the nature of spiritual warfare and the ongoing need to rely on God's strength to overcome the "Canaanites" in our own lives and fully possess the blessings He has promised.
