Jennifer 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Deuteronomy 7:20 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The Word of God speaks to every generation. One of the books that explains God’s covenant relationship with His people is Deuteronomy. In this book, Moses gives the people of Israel instructions from the Lord. These teachings help them understand how to live in obedience and what blessings or consequences would follow.
One of the interesting and powerful verses in this book is Deuteronomy 7:20. It is a verse that shows how God Himself acts on behalf of His people.
The Context of Deuteronomy 7:20 KJV
The Setting of the Book of Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible. It was written by Moses under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is a collection of speeches and laws that Moses gave to the people of Israel before they entered the Promised Land of Canaan.
The Israelites had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Now, they were ready to cross the Jordan River and claim the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Before they did, Moses reminded them of God’s commandments and told them what they needed to do to succeed in the land.
He also gave them many warnings about turning away from God. He wanted them to remain faithful, so they could enjoy God’s blessings and protection.
The Immediate Context of Chapter 7
Chapter 7 of Deuteronomy focuses on God’s instructions for Israel as they prepare to conquer the land of Canaan. God tells them not to make covenants with the pagan nations. He commands them to destroy idols, altars, and false gods. God wants Israel to be a holy nation set apart for Him.
In return for their obedience, God promises many blessings—protection from disease, fertility, success, and victory over enemies. However, He also makes it clear that these victories will not come all at once. The conquest will be gradual, and God Himself will take part in driving out the enemy. That is where verse 20 comes in.
Deuteronomy 7:20 (KJV)
“Moreover the Lord thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.” — Deuteronomy 7:20, King James Version
This verse reveals something very specific about how God planned to deal with the enemies of Israel. Let us take a closer look at its meaning.
Deuteronomy 7:20 Meaning
This verse is rich with symbolism and divine promise. Let’s break it down into parts and explain it in simple terms.
“Moreover the Lord thy God”
This reminds us of who is in control. It is not Israel who wins the battles by their own strength. It is God, their Lord and Creator, who fights for them. The word “moreover” shows that this is an addition to the other things God has already promised. He has said He will bless them, make them fruitful, and remove disease. Now He adds another promise—He will send help in a supernatural way.
“Will send the hornet among them”
This is the most mysterious part of the verse. What does it mean that God will send the hornet?
There are three main interpretations of the word “hornet” here:
Literal Insect – Some believe God actually sent swarms of hornets to drive out the Canaanites. These insects could create fear, pain, and even death. There are other places in Scripture where the hornet is mentioned in this way (see Exodus 23:28 and Joshua 24:12).
Symbolic Force of Terror – Others think the hornet is a symbol of fear and panic. The idea is that God would strike terror into the hearts of Israel’s enemies so that they would flee or become easy to conquer. This interpretation matches other Bible verses where God says He would “trouble” or “confuse” His enemies (Deuteronomy 2:25, Joshua 2:9-11).
Combination of Both – Some Bible scholars think it could be both. God may have used real hornets and also caused great fear to spread among the people.
Whatever the case, the main message is this: God fights for His people. He does it in ways that go beyond human understanding.
“Until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed”
This part of the verse shows the complete victory God intends for Israel. Those who survive the initial battles and try to hide will also be found and defeated. God’s work is thorough. No enemy will be able to escape His plan. Whether they are open in battle or hiding in secret places, God’s judgment will reach them.
Deuteronomy 7:20 Application in Life
Though this verse speaks about a specific event in Israel’s history, it still has great meaning for Christians today. Let’s look at several ways this truth applies to our lives.
1. God Fights for Us
Just as God fought for Israel, He fights for His people today. Life is full of battles—spiritual, emotional, and even physical. But we are not alone. God is on our side. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
We must remember that we do not win spiritual battles by our own power. We win through faith, prayer, and trust in God’s strength.
2. God Uses Unusual Methods
The idea of using hornets to defeat an enemy may seem strange. But it shows that God can use anything to accomplish His will. He is not limited by human ways of thinking.
Sometimes, God answers prayers in unexpected ways. Sometimes, He opens doors through situations we didn’t plan. Just like He used a hornet, He may use trials, people, or even nature to bring about His purpose in your life.
3. God Judges Sin Completely
The people of Canaan were known for their evil practices—child sacrifice, idol worship, and moral corruption. God had given them time to repent, but they refused. Now, judgment was coming.
This shows that God is not only merciful—He is also just. Sin cannot go unpunished forever. Even today, those who continue in rebellion against God will face judgment. But those who turn to Him in repentance find forgiveness and new life.
4. Fear Is a Tool in God’s Hand
In many places in the Bible, God uses fear to defeat His enemies. He causes their hearts to melt and their courage to fail. This is what the “hornet” likely represents—a supernatural terror that only God can send.
God is able to bring confusion to those who oppose Him. He can cause proud people to fall. As Christians, we do not need to be afraid of what the world is doing. God is still in control, and He knows how to deal with evil in His time and His way.
5. Trust God’s Timing
In verses before Deuteronomy 7:20, God says that the conquest of Canaan will not happen all at once (Deuteronomy 7:22). Instead, it will be gradual. This teaches us to be patient.
Sometimes, we want God to solve all our problems immediately. But He knows what is best. The victory may come slowly, but it will come. Just like God cleared the land little by little, He also works in our lives step by step.
6. Hiding from God Does Not Work
The enemies of Israel tried to hide, but God found them. No one can hide from God. He sees all things. He knows where people are, what they do, and even what they think.
This is both a warning and a comfort. For the wicked, it is a reminder that they cannot escape God’s judgment. For the righteous, it is encouragement that God sees your pain, your faithfulness, and your prayers. Nothing is hidden from Him.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 7:20 may seem like a small verse tucked into a larger story, but it carries a deep message of hope, warning, and trust. This verse reminds us that God fights for His people, even in ways that are unusual or unexpected. He is not limited by human strength. He uses fear, nature, and divine power to bring justice. He is thorough in dealing with evil and faithful to those who trust in Him.
As Christians, we are not facing the Canaanites, but we do face spiritual battles every day. We face temptation, fear, stress, sickness, and opposition. But just like God was with Israel, He is with us today.
We are called to trust in His power, wait on His timing, and walk in obedience. We are never alone. God is active, powerful, and present in every step of our journey. He will clear the path ahead and defeat every enemy, even if it takes time. And He will do it in ways that only He can.
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