When the Israelites entered the land God had promised them, He would drive out seven nations greater and stronger than they — the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. God commanded that when they conquered these nations, they were to destroy them completely, make no treaties, and show no mercy. They were not to intermarry with them, for such unions would turn their hearts away from God to serve idols, bringing His anger upon them.
Instead, they were to destroy the altars, smash the sacred stones, cut down the Asherah poles, and burn the idols in fire. God reminded them that they were His holy people — chosen out of all nations to be His treasured possession. It was not because of their size or strength, for they were the fewest among the peoples, but because of His love and the oath He had made to their ancestors that He brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
Moses told them to remember that the Lord is faithful, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who obey Him, but repaying those who hate Him with destruction. Therefore, they were to follow His commands faithfully.
If they obeyed, God would keep His covenant of love, bless them, and multiply them. Their children, their land, their grain, wine, oil, herds, and flocks would all flourish. None among them would be barren, and they would be free from the diseases that plagued Egypt.
Moses urged them not to fear the nations before them, no matter how strong they seemed, for God who delivered them from Pharaoh would do the same again. He would send confusion and even the hornet among their enemies until none were left.
God would drive out the nations little by little to keep wild animals from overrunning the land. Their enemies' kings would fall, their names erased from the earth, and none would stand against Israel.
Finally, Moses warned them not to desire or take any silver or gold from the idols, for such things were detestable to God and would bring destruction if kept. They were to abhor and destroy every trace of those idols, keeping themselves pure for the Lord their God.