9:2, 3 The Anakim were enormous people, some seven to nine feet tall. Goliath, probably a descendant of this race, was over nine feet tall (1 Samuel 17:4-7). Unfortunately, these great men used their stature as a means of intimidation rather than for noble causes. Their appearance alone frightened the Israelite spies (Numbers 13:28), and their bad reputation may have been the deciding factor that kept the Israelites out of the land 40 years earlier (Numbers 13–14). Moses used all his persuasive power to convince his people that God could handle these bullies. He used the illustration of God as a consuming fire, for not even a giant could stand up to that.
9:3 God promised to go before the Israelites as a “consuming fire” to help them conquer their enemies. Fire was a symbol of holiness and purification, illustrating God’s desire to purify the land of its wicked people in order to make Israel a holy nation.
9:5, 6 If the Israelites were so stubborn (“stiffnecked”), why did God make such wonderful promises to them? There are two good reasons: (1) A bargain is a bargain. God and Israel had made a treaty (Genesis 15; 17; Exodus 19–20). God promised to be faithful to them, and they promised to obey him. The agreement was irrevocable and eternal. Even though the Israelites rarely upheld their end of the bargain, God would always be faithful to his part. (2) God’s mercy is unconditional. No matter how many times the people turned from God, he was always there to restore them. It is comforting to know that despite our inconsistencies and sins, God loves us unconditionally. Eternal life is achieved not on the merit system but on the mercy system. God loves us no matter who we are or what we have done.
9:23 Moses was reminding the people of the nation’s unbelief 40 years earlier, when they had been afraid to enter Canaan. The Israelites had not believed God would be able to help them in spite of all he had already done. They refused to follow because they looked only to their own limited resources instead of to God. Unbelief is the root of many sins and problems. When you feel lost, it may be because you’re looking everywhere but to God for your help and guidance. (See Psalms 81:6-12; 95:8; 106:13-20; Hebrews 3.)