Our Heavenly Calling

Our Heavenly Calling

To whom does this calling apply? This promise does not apply to anyone else except to those who listen to His voice in order to obey it. From verse 22 we see that it is for those who do all that He speaks. Compare this word to Matthew 28:20 and 2 Corinthians 2:9 and 10:6 as well as Romans 1:5. The great flock of people who believe in the atonement but who live for themselves have no part in this promise and this inheritance. They belong among the children of the bondwoman; they shall not be heirs with the son of the freewoman. Gal. 4:30.

What we have been called to: That is indicated in verse 22. God will be an enemy to our enemies and an adversary to our adversaries. Then everyone can work out how things will go with them! If the Almighty One wants to destroy them, then nothing is left of them! In other words, this is a peculiar expression for perfect victory over our adversary, the devil, perfect victory in our battle against sin. Rev. 12:11; Rom. 16:20; 1 John 2:13-14; Heb. 12:4.

From verse 23 we see that all the hostile nations shall be destroyed—the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. It is actually not people who are our enemies, but sin. Therefore these various nations correspond to the various kinds of sins. We are called to destroy all of them. Compare this to the apostles’ unanimous exhortations to put all of them off. Col. 3:8-9; 1 Pet. 2:1; Jas. 1:21; Heb. 12:1.

When can this be accomplished? From verses 29 and 30 we see that God did not want to give complete victory over all these enemies (over all sin) in “one year.” Neither does He say anything about doing it in two years, but that He would drive the enemies out little by little until we could finally possess the land, or gain perfect victory. This is, of course, exceedingly interesting and enlightening, and it is wonderful to gain understanding about it. 1 Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4.

Why not drive out all these enemies quickly? Does God not have sufficient power??? Of course, He has more than enough power for all of us!!! Well, then, why does God hesitate with giving us perfect victory? For it was He who did not want to drive them all out in one year! We would like nothing more than be rid of everything at once—fools that we are. But He is exceedingly wise. His way (of doing things) is perfect!

The reason is quite plainly, precisely, and conclusively given in verse 29: “Lest . . . the beast of the field become too numerous for you . . . .” This is a perfect illustration for us!

If all these nations were to be destroyed suddenly, the land would be ever so desolate and all the wild animals would then come and be especially well nourished; they would revel in chickens and ducks, pigs, sheep, and cattle, and increase terribly, so that the victory over all these six nations would be a highly doubtful affair. For of what advantage would it be if we overcame ever so many nations if lions, tigers, and leopards—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—were to come afterward and make an end of us in one moment???

The big question is therefore to what do these animals correspond in our battle? It has to be something quite unique, something that, in a way, is different from sin in general, but which is also a sin, an extremely dangerous one at that.

It doesn’t belong among sins in the usual sense of the word; it is not mentioned among the sins that we are admonished to put off. Col. 3:8-9; 1 Pet. 2:1. Nor is it among the works of the flesh. Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-10.

When there are some hostile people (sin) left, the danger of the beasts is less; but if all these people (all sin) vanished suddenly, then the danger of the beasts would be imminent! I wonder what this devilry is that wants to make an end of us, precisely at the point when we have gained a great victory, when we are exalted in a moment. Well, I think we realize what it is. It must be pride. When we replace the six hostile nations with various kinds of sinful deeds, and replace the beasts of the field with pride, then everything works out with the utmost precision!

It is unbelievable how people have such a hard time bearing to be exalted. Then this proud thought comes as quick as lightning: “You are the man!” Therefore, if a person would immediately be a conqueror (before he was grounded in lowliness) over everything that the Scriptures call sin, he would be completely possessed by pride and thus literally “go to the dogs” in accordance with the saying, “Pride comes before destruction.”

When we do not gain the victory, when the “Amorites” or “Canaanites” defeat us, it will keep pride in check. Our pride receives a blow every time it does not succeed for us. God uses this as a stratagem. The dominion of sin is thus divided against itself and is about to meet its demise. Civil war is raging in the land of sin. God be praised for that! The beasts are putting an end to some of the “ites,” and they in their turn are making an end of some of the beasts, preventing them from multiplying.

This is how the enemy is weakened while we strengthen ourselves for the decisive battle. In the meantime, we are being rooted and grounded in the truth, in our calling and election, in hope and faith and love; and above everything we get to know the stealthy and dangerous beasts from experience.

When God sees that we have dealt properly with pride, when we have “multiplied” sufficiently so that we are able to rule over them all—over the “ites” and the beasts—then He will set our “bounds from Sea to Sea.” V. 31.

It is hard to believe that these beasts—this pride— would be so dangerous as to make it necessary for God to take such measures! Imagine that pride is so terribly strong! Nevertheless, if we open our eyes, pay close attention, and reflect on the matter, we can in some measure understand why God acts like that.

It wouldn’t be so terrible—even if it is bad enough—if a person thought a lot of himself if he overcame like some Napoleon! Then it could at least be said that there was some sense to it even though it was still disgraceful! But what shall we say about the normal, daily occurrence—that we are a poor wretch, a worm, a maggot, who neither lives an overcoming life nor wins souls and still has a good opinion of himself, is proud and stiff and gets offended when he is not accorded the proper esteem or is not suitably honored??? This is such an elevated state of pride that words cannot express it!!! It is utterly irrational! It must be said that it is sheer insanity!

If we can be so exalted in our own eyes in the midst of our misery, what would happen if God suddenly exalted such a person above all his misery??? We understand that this would mean certain doom.

The fact that we need to increase first before we can possess the entire land means that we must first destroy all that unlimited arrogance that can get us to be proud in the midst of our wretchedness—before there can be a question of perfect victory and still be humble.

Just think—what great things God can accomplish with a poor wretch in His time! Think to receive grace to chase out all enemies from before your face and still not think any proud thoughts, but be as the lowliest, the servant and slave of all!!!