The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. – Deuteronomy 7:22

Today’s Scripture Reading (November 30, 2018): Deuteronomy 7

While the end of World War II did not actually take place until Germany’s surrender in 1945, some believe that the seeds of the eventual German defeat can be found in 1942, three years earlier. The idea is that the Germans suffered from Imperial Overreach in 1942. They had taken possession of more territory than they could control, either from a military standing or an economic one. Specifically, while their hold on France remained strong in 1942, their expansion into the Soviet Union and Africa opened up places for possible counterattacks by the Allied forces. German expansion into Russia allowed the Soviet Union to stretch thin the German Army while concentrating their own forces, and while France was securely held, Britain and the United States were able to begin their offense against the German military machine in Africa, stretching the German army almost to the breaking point.

The Overreach of Germany also solidified the resolve of the nations standing against Adolf Hitler and his forces that the war could only end with the total defeat of Nazis. A diplomatic solution with the Third Reich was impossible because, if that avenue were taken, Hitler would continue to expand his territory throughout Europe. War would continue to be a fact of life in Europe until he was removed from the control of the nation. The Allies needed to agree to fight until the last man or until the point when Germany had surrendered.

Nazi Germany was not the only nation to suffer from Imperial Overreach. Other historical examples might include France under the rule of Napoléon, and Rome after the second century C.E. All expanded territory past their ability to exercise control.

And it is Imperial Overreach about which Moses is trying to teach the people before their entrance into the land that God had promised to them. What the people of Israel probably wanted was an easy path to ruling the land. God could, if he wanted to, clear the land of opponents before Israel even crossed the Jorden River and was able to set foot in Canaan. But Moses argued that that would create a power vacuum. The people of the land would be removed, but unless Israel could exercise military and economic control over the land, other people, or even the beasts of the field and wild animals, would fill the void. Instead, God was going to leave the land inhabited, and allow Israel to occupy the land “little by little,” governed by both their faith and their ability to control Canaan.

“Little by little” also describes the way that we grow spiritually. Maybe we would prefer it go all at once, but our holiness continues to be progressive in nature. We become more like Christ in small steps over time, piece by piece and “little by little.”

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 8