The Israelites were about to enter the land which was occupied by the Canaanite tribes; Amorites, Perrizites, Jebusites, and other “…ites.” None of the nations in Canaan were extremely powerful nations. Egypt was the world power. Pharaoh commanded worldwide attention and had conquered all the lands around him. Tradition has it that Moses was the General who led the Egyptian army to victory against the Ethiopians when he was still in Pharaoh’s house. His name and fame may also have spread. And he was now leading Israel’s Armies not Egypt’s Armies. But Moses didn’t defeat the Egyptians at “The Battle of the Red Sea.” God did. As a matter of fact, when they faced the charge of the enemy, “Moses told the people, don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today.
The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:13-14) Though less than Egypt, the Canaanite nations still appeared to be strong in the land. But Moses knew that Israel didn’t need to fear the bigger, stronger nations because God was with them. In Deuteronomy 7:17-18 Moses addresses the nation again, “You might say to yourselves, because these nations are stronger than we are, we can’t force them out. But don’t be afraid of them. Remember what the Lord your God did to all of Egypt and its king.”
He reminds them that God had already given them the victory over the greatest nation. He will surely take care of these minor nations. Remember all the God has done for you in the past. He won’t fail you now!