Post by: Axle on January 05, 2010, 06:09:01 PM
In Exodus 23:29, God says
I will drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beast of the field become too numerous for you. (NKJ version)
OK, so here it is; the Hebrews had left Egypt and were heading for the Promised Land which was soon to become Israel. God said he was not going to wipe out the inhabitants of the land too soon because the “beast of the field” would become too numerous. The beasts were: bears, badgers, lions, etc. God knew if he got rid of the people that inhabited the land that the beasts would over-populate and it would create a big problem for the Hebrews. He decided to leave the inhabitants because the people that were there would take care of the predators (beasts) while they had control of the land. Getting rid of predators was and is part of life and an on-going battle.
God said He would get rid of them (the inhabitants) as the Hebrews slowly inhabited the land.
Getting rid of predators is a continuous battle even God recognizes to be a challenge and respected.