YOU CANNOT BE KINDER THAN GOD

50 NOW THE LORD SPOKE TO MOSES IN THE PLAINS OF MOAB BY THE JORDAN, ACROSS FROM JERICHO, SAYING,
51 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
52 THEN YOU SHALL DRIVE OUT ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAND FROM BEFORE YOU, DESTROY ALL THEIR ENGRAVED STONES, DESTROY ALL THEIR MOLDED IMAGES, AND DEMOLISH ALL THEIR HIGH PLACES;
53 YOU SHALL DISPOSSESS THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAND AND DWELL IN IT, FOR I HAVE GIVEN YOU THE LAND TO POSSESS.
54 And you shall divide the land by lot as an inheritance among your families; to the larger you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you shall give a smaller inheritance; there everyone’s inheritance shall be whatever falls to him by lot. You shall inherit according to the tribes of your fathers.
55 BUT IF YOU DO NOT DRIVE OUT THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAND FROM BEFORE YOU, THEN IT SHALL BE THAT THOSE WHOM YOU LET REMAIN SHALL BE IRRITANTS IN YOUR EYES AND THORNS IN YOUR SIDES, AND THEY SHALL HARASS YOU IN THE LAND WHERE YOU DWELL.
56 MOREOVER IT SHALL BE THAT I WILL DO TO YOU AS I THOUGHT TO DO TO THEM.’ ”
Numbers 33:50-56 (NKJV)

Some things that happened in past which are recorded in the Bible could make some people perceive that God is brutal or hostile, but you cannot be kinder than God. If God said or commanded that some people or nations should be completely destroyed, It does not mean that He is a wicked God.

The inhabitants of Canaan land, the land which God wanted to give to His people, the Israelites, were commanded to be driven out and be dispossessed, and their engraved stones, molded images be destroyed, and their high places or shrines be demolished (Numbers 33:52). Afterwards, Israelites should take possession of the land (Numbers 33:52).

God would not have just commanded that to be done to them If there were no reasons for it. Remember, when God promised to give Abraham, Isaac and Jacob the land (Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 15:18; 17:8; 26:3; 28:13; Acts 7:5); He said the iniquity or sin of the inhabitants of the land was yet full or complete (Genesis 15:16). In other words, It was their sin, what they were doing, which was obnoxious to God and that made Him decide to destroy them and give their land to the Israelites.

An example is what the people of Sodom and Gomorrah and its environs were doing which was obnoxious and irritating to God, based on the outcry that got to Him—the reports He heard about them and the investigation carried out by Him, God, when He sent His angels there (Genesis 18:20-22; 19:1-26), thus, He decided to wipe them out by setting the place on fire (Genesis 19:24,25).

The instruction given to the Israelites through Moses His servant was that the inhabitants of Canaan land should be dispossessed and their engraved stones and images be completely destroyed. The Israelites should not have any treaty or agreement with them. If the Israelites did not drive them out completely and allowed them to remain, the inhabitants of the land:
55 SHALL BE IRRITANTS IN YOUR EYES AND THORNS IN YOUR SIDES, AND THEY SHALL HARASS YOU IN THE LAND WHERE YOU DWELL. 56 MOREOVER IT SHALL BE THAT I WILL DO TO YOU AS I THOUGHT TO DO TO THEM' " (Numbers 33:55,56 NKJV).
In other words, If the Israelites did allow them to remain and be dwelling with them in the land, the people would be irritants in their eyes and thorns in their sides or flesh, and the punishment God would have meted out to the people would be meted out to the Israelites (Numbers 33:55,56).

A believer should not associate with every Dick and Harry, they should be circumspect on whoever they would cultivate friendship or relationship with. It is not every person you can intimately relate with or allowed into your life. There are some people that God would say you should not relate with, not on the basis of hatred, but the influence which your relationship with such a person or people could have on your spiritual or Christian life.

Note:
If God has put a full stop on your relationship or friendship with someone or a group of people, do not try to put comma and continue with the relationship or friendship after a while. If God is saying No to your association with someone or a group of people, I will admonish you to heed what God is saying, that you might not regret at the end.

The instructions given to the Israelites were; they should dispossess the people, and they should destroy their molded images, high places, and engraved stones (Numbers 33:52,53). Thus, If you are being inclined to call a friendship or a relationship or an association, a quit; I want to enjoin you to do that now—do not procrastinate on it.

One major reason why God gave such a command that seems brutal to His people, the Israelites, was the impact which their union with the people of the land could make on their relationship with Him, God. Thus, if God is warning you concerning your friendship or relationship or association with someone or people, It is always because of the negative impact or influence that such a union or relationship or friendship could have on your life; both your spiritual life, your relationship with Him, God, and your physical life: "DO NOT BE DECEIVED: “EVIL COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD HABITS" " (1 Corinthians 15:33 NKJV).

You might be arguing in your heart, Why would God say you should not relate or associate or allow someone or people in your space or life? I will enjoin you to heed what God is saying, If you would not want to regret at the end. The secret thing belongs to God! The hidden things which are not known about the person or the people are known to God, that is why He is saying that you should stay away from the person or people.

You will not fail in Jesus' name.
Should there be any sickness in your body, receive your healing in Jesus' name.
Peace.

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!