The second half of chapter 7 starts a new Torah portion, and lays out three categories of God’s blessings
to the Hebrews: 1) population growth and wealth, 2) health and rehabilitation, and 3) respect among
the Gentiles. Here, we will examine the third blessing and see how Abravanel clarifies the relevant
verse: “And you shall consume all the peoples that God your Almighty shall deliver unto you. Your eyes
shall not pity them; neither shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare unto you.”
“And He will love you and bless you.”
To preface, Abravanel writes that God's love and blessing mentioned here does not appear as a promise to
the patriarchs. Instead, the Creator is making a separate arrangement with His people. That is, on top of
Heaven's commitment to the pledge of divine kindness to the patriarchs, there is more in store. He offers
an additional oath to their seed, apart from the one extended to their forebears: “And He will love you and
bless you.”
“And you shall consume all the peoples that God your Almighty shall deliver unto you…” God places a
victory wreath or halo, as it were, over the nation as a whole. Given God's vigilance for His people,
Israel's enemies face sobering options: sue for peace or get whacked.
Destroying enemy forces should not be interpreted as a divine commandment. It isn’t. Rather, it is a
prophecy, a reward. Convincingly, victory is as assured for Hebrews, as a lion’s prowess over jungle
beasts, as a lioness among a flock. Just as naturally, the Jews will crush and annihilate their foe. A
smashing victory will not come about by dint of their might or brawn. Into their hand will the Maker hand
deliver the enemy.
In the annals of military history, Abravanel finds, there have been occasions where victorious armies have
treated the vanquished with largesse. Moved by compassion, let us say, they spare enemy troops,
supposing they are the more noble for it, and the more honorable. Virtue signaling. Summarily, the
invading Hebrews are disabused of applying misguided fancies here. "Your eyes shall not pity them."
Not to give the wrong occasion, compassion rates most admirable, a bedrock value and Jewish
imperative. The Torah, it goes without saying, does not inculcate cruelty, anger, or malice. The
uncompromising stance adopted here with Canaanites has something else in mind; it is an expedient.
"And you shall not serve their gods for that will be a snare unto you." Should the Hebrews extend an olive
branch to them, assimilation will ensue. Undoubtedly and in lightning speed, Jews will be professing
paganism – hook, line and sinker. A seductive lure. "Your eyes shall not pity them." Misplaced sympathy
sows seeds of sacrilege. Exodus 23 minces no words. "They shall not dwell in your land, lest they cause
you to sin."
"And you shall consume all those nations…." Bible students need to familiarize themselves with the word
choice, "consume." Balaam borrowed the same term, "[God] shall consume His enemy nations." In riling
up the troops, Joshua and Caleb, too, invoked gastronomic imagery, "And you shall not fear the nations of
the land because they are our repast." Thus, “consuming enemies” is literary license, and certainly not
referring to cannibalism.
In sum, Abravanel explains one aspect of God’s blessing, one that instilled fear in the hearts of the
Canaanites.
