They shall not dwell in thy land— i.e. "They shall on no account be suffered to dwell within thy land, while continuing in the practice of idolatry;" the reason of which is subjoined; and it is added, If, seduced by them, thou shalt serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee. It will entangle thee in evil, and prove destructive to thee; and such was the event: see Joshua 23:13.Numbers 25:1; Numbers 25:18. Judges 2:1; Judges 2:23. Houbigant observes, that the Samaritan reading, which all the ancient versions, except the Arabic, follow, is preferable in this place: and they, (i.e. the people,) will be a snare unto thee: upon which authority he renders the verse, they shall not dwell in thy land, lest they induce thee to sin against me; and thou serve their gods, after they have enticed thee.
REFLECTIONS.—God having explained his judgments, concludes with most encouraging promises and solemn warnings.
1. He promises, that the Angel of the covenant, the great Head of his church, shall go before them. Under his conduct their enemies should fear and fall before them, till they were consumed; yet not all at once, but by little and little, till they were able to occupy the whole land. Mean time, every earthly blessing is assured to them: God's people have even here sometimes a peculiar portion. Note; (1.) It is the comfort of every true faithful Israelite, that he is under the guidance of the great Redeemer, and shall be conducted safe to the promised possession of eternal rest. (2.) Though corruption, like these Canaanites, continues for a time, yet its power is broken in the justified soul, and shall soon be rooted out.
2. We have the injunctions given them to be obedient, and hear his voice. Christ must not only be trusted as a Saviour, but served as our Lord and Master; and how reasonable to yield to him a grateful return for all we are and have, since to his love we are indebted for all!
3. The care to be taken in destroying all monuments of idolatry, and avoiding all connexion with idolaters. Removal of all temptations to sin is necessary, in order to be preserved from it. Nothing is more dangerous than evil companions, and we must shun their company, if we would escape their wickedness.