Verse 9
The Israelites had committed the previous breaches of covenant in spite of God having driven the giant Amorites out of the Promised Land for them (cf. Numbers 13:22-33). These enemies had been as strong and tall as cedar or oak trees (cf. Numbers 13:28-33; Deuteronomy 1:26-28), but the Lord destroyed them completely, from fruit above to root below.
"Destruction of ’his fruit’ left no possibility of future life from seed. Destruction of ’roots’ left no possibility of future life from the tree. God is able to deal decisively with the enemies of his people." [Note: Smith, pp. 65-66.]
Here the Amorites, the most formidable of the native inhabitants, represent all of them, by metonymy (cf. Genesis 15:16). The defeat of these giants demonstrated Yahweh’s superior power as well as His love for His people. By implication, if God drove the Amorites out of the land, He might also drive the Israelites out.
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