God instructs His people to remove dangerous influences to safeguard their faith.
Moses, nearing the end of Israel’s wilderness journey, gives a stern instruction to the Israelites regarding the people who already occupy Canaan. He warns, “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will trouble you in the land in which you live” (Numbers 33:55). This command highlights the seriousness of removing any persistent influence that might lead God’s people into sin or idolatry. The “land” in view is Canaan, the region that lay along the eastern Mediterranean coast and included territories such as the hill country, coastal plains, and valleys that Israel was to inherit. This location, known as the Promised Land, would eventually become the central place of Israel’s history and culture.
In biblical context, the “inhabitants of the land” represent an ongoing threat to Israel’s faithfulness to God. Historically, Moses (circa 1526-1406 BC) is instructing the nation before they cross the Jordan River into Canaan—a pivotal event that will occur under the leadership of Joshua. Should the Israelites fail to obey, the remaining Canaanites will remain like “thorns” and “pricks,” a powerful mental image of unrelenting irritation and danger. Similar imagery appears in the New Testament where believers are encouraged to remove stumbling blocks from their lives, just as Jesus warns that sin must be cut off at the root (Mark 9:43-47). Both contexts suggest that partial obedience or compromise with harmful influences can lead to spiritual and moral decay.
The phrase “they will trouble you in the land in which you live” underscores that disobedience brings turmoil in the very setting of God’s blessing. While God promised Israel a home to flourish, persistent disobedience would result in conflict and suffering. In the same way, the New Testament teaches that unresolved sin will disrupt the peace and unity within the community of believers (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). Through both examples we learn the ripple effect of failing to align our lives fully with the Lord’s instructions.
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Numbers 33:55 meaning
Moses, nearing the end of Israel’s wilderness journey, gives a stern instruction to the Israelites regarding the people who already occupy Canaan. He warns, “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will trouble you in the land in which you live” (Numbers 33:55). This command highlights the seriousness of removing any persistent influence that might lead God’s people into sin or idolatry. The “land” in view is Canaan, the region that lay along the eastern Mediterranean coast and included territories such as the hill country, coastal plains, and valleys that Israel was to inherit. This location, known as the Promised Land, would eventually become the central place of Israel’s history and culture.
In biblical context, the “inhabitants of the land” represent an ongoing threat to Israel’s faithfulness to God. Historically, Moses (circa 1526-1406 BC) is instructing the nation before they cross the Jordan River into Canaan—a pivotal event that will occur under the leadership of Joshua. Should the Israelites fail to obey, the remaining Canaanites will remain like “thorns” and “pricks,” a powerful mental image of unrelenting irritation and danger. Similar imagery appears in the New Testament where believers are encouraged to remove stumbling blocks from their lives, just as Jesus warns that sin must be cut off at the root (Mark 9:43-47). Both contexts suggest that partial obedience or compromise with harmful influences can lead to spiritual and moral decay.
The phrase “they will trouble you in the land in which you live” underscores that disobedience brings turmoil in the very setting of God’s blessing. While God promised Israel a home to flourish, persistent disobedience would result in conflict and suffering. In the same way, the New Testament teaches that unresolved sin will disrupt the peace and unity within the community of believers (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). Through both examples we learn the ripple effect of failing to align our lives fully with the Lord’s instructions.