I was reading through some of my old sermon notes tonight and as I came across one of the most memorable and interesting (in my opinion that is) set of notes, I thought it might be nice to share what I was taught with you, my friends. So here goes.

This lesson is based on Deuteronomy 7 ” 1 When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations–the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you– 2 and when the Lord your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy.3 Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, 4 for they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.

These seven nations actually represent seven different and distinct stumbling blocks (sins, temptations, mindsets, habits etc.) that we face during the course of our lives that we must defeat and destroy totally. Here’s how it breaks down:

The word Hittite means literally ” mountain dwellers”, one who is broken or fearful= fear.

The word Girgashite means “one who arrives from a pilgrimage.” It represents having no roots, being transient.

Amorite means “bitter, rebel, babbler” and represents bitterness, pride and arrogance.

Canaanite means “peddler, trafficker, determined to stay.” It represents the lust of our eyes and flesh.

Perizzite means “unwalled villagers”= false security

Hivite means “lifegiving, living place, wicked” and it represents the rewards of the world.

Jebusite means “trampled on” and represents condemnation, guilt and shame.

Now see how that verse takes on a much deeper meaning in relation to our lives today?