In Exodus 23:23–31, why would a just God command the displacement of entire nations for Israel’s sake?

Historical Context

The text in Exodus 23:23–31 describes instructions given during Israel’s wilderness journey. After the exodus from Egypt, Israel’s identity as a people was being shaped by divine directives. The nations inhabiting Canaan—the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites—had longstanding practices deemed grievously evil. These ranged from pervasive idolatry to sacrificial customs involving children, documented in biblical passages such as Leviticus 18:21 and corroborated by ancient Near Eastern studies (e.g., Ugaritic texts discovered at Ras Shamra). Against this background, Exodus 23 offers both a promise and a warning: God would drive out these nations, but Israel must diligently avoid adopting similar corrupt practices.

Scriptural Foundation

Exodus 23:23–31 includes statements such as: “For My Angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I will annihilate them” (v. 23). This is coupled with an injunction against idolatry: “But you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water” (v. 25). Although strong language is used—words like “drive out” and “annihilate”—the text clarifies that the displacement would happen “little by little” (v. 30). This points to a mercifully gradual process rather than an unrestrained or indiscriminate conquest.

God’s Righteous Judgment

Scripture consistently presents God as just and holy. Deuteronomy 9:4–5 explains that Israel was not receiving the land because of their own inherent righteousness, but rather because of the nations’ wickedness. The biblical narrative maintains that all nations stand accountable to a universal moral order (cf. Genesis 18:25). In Genesis 15:16, there is mention that the iniquity of the Amorites was “not yet complete,” indicating that God gave centuries for repentance before final judgment.

Moral State of the Displaced Nations

Archaeologists and historians have unearthed evidence of Canaanite religious practices involving child sacrifice, sexual exploitation, and other deprivations (e.g., clay tablets detailing rituals in which children were offered to deities). The Bible references such acts extensively, condemning them as abominations (Leviticus 18:24–25). The displacement thus served not only as an inheritance for Israel but as a response to heinous wrongdoing that apparently had reached a tipping point.

Covenantal Promises

The directive in Exodus 23:23–31 also ties directly to promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In Genesis 12:7, God pledged to Abraham’s descendants a specific land. This was reiterated in Genesis 15:18–21, describing territories inhabited by peoples who would eventually come under judgment for their persistent evil. When Exodus 23 highlights these same nations, it affirms that God was fulfilling a covenant promise. Elsewhere in Scripture, it is likewise explained that if Israel fell into the same sins, they also would lose their hold on the land—a reality eventually seen in Israel’s exile (2 Kings 17; 2 Kings 25).

Gradual and Measured Displacement

A key feature in Exodus 23:29–30 is the promise that “I will not drive them out before you in a single year … Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you become fruitful and possess the land.” This measured approach highlights a concern that if the nations were removed too quickly, the land would become desolate and overtaken by wild animals (v. 29). Thus, the exodus and subsequent conquest were designed to proceed over time, implying a structured and controlled judgment rather than an unrestrained conquest.

God’s Sovereign Ownership of the Land

Scripture teaches that God, as Creator, retains ultimate authority over all lands and peoples (Psalm 24:1). By commanding Israel to inhabit Canaan, the text depicts God exercising this prerogative to place the land under a people called to uphold His laws. Notably, Israel was warned that should they commit the same evils, the land would also “vomit” them out (Leviticus 18:28). This principle of divine ownership clarifies why God can command or revoke residency in a territory based on moral grounds.

Justice Paired with Mercy

Although judgments like these sound severe, the biblical account consistently pairs justice with mercy. Repeated references to providing time for repentance and requiring Israel to exhibit faithfulness underscore that this was not an arbitrary act. The angel going before Israel (Exodus 23:23) signifies divine oversight, ensuring the process followed God’s precise standards rather than human impulses alone.

Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

Archaeological surveys in regions corresponding to ancient Canaan have disclosed evidence of collapsed city states, matching a timeframe consistent with gradual infiltration rather than an immediate sweep of conquests. While debates continue regarding exact dates, excavations at sites such as Hazor and Lachish show layers of destruction followed by new settlement phases. This lines up with the biblical portrayal that Israel’s presence in the land unfolded progressively.

Application and Perspective

The question of displacement arises from modern moral frameworks. However, taken in the broader biblical context, God’s commands serve larger redemptive purposes. Israel was tasked with stewarding a new societal framework where corruption and idolatry would be confronted and replaced with worship of the Creator who upholds holiness and justice. The overarching narrative of Scripture reveals that God’s actions in history, though sometimes perplexing, consistently aim toward good and establish moral accountability for all nations.

Conclusion

Exodus 23:23–31 details how God would expel various nations from Canaan for Israel’s inheritance. Far from a capricious displacement, the biblical record presents a morally grounded, covenant-fulfilling development involving patience, justice, and a careful process rather than immediate annihilation. God’s character throughout Scripture remains consistent in judgment against wickedness, provision for those who follow Him, and mercy upon the truly repentant. The displacement of nations served as a moment in salvation history wherein God’s covenant, holiness, and sovereignty were all displayed—providing both a warning to Israel and a testament to future generations of God’s just dealings in the world.