Definition: And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Deuteronomy 7:22. It’s a pretty serious verse about how God wants to deal with nations. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: God isn't going to destroy all the nations completely at once. He wants to gradually push them away, bit by bit. Let’s unpack it: “And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee…” – This means God is actively choosing some nations to be left alone. It’s not just a random act; he's deliberately setting them aside. “…by little and little” - This is the key part! He’s not going to overwhelm them with force. It’s a slow process of pushing them further away. “Thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.” – This is where it gets a little more poetic. "Beasts of the field" refers to animals like deer and wild animals. The idea is that if he pushes these nations too far too quickly, they will become so strong and plentiful that they overwhelm Israel (and us!). What does this mean for us? It’s a reminder that God doesn't want complete destruction. He wants to protect His people, but He also understands that sometimes, it's wise to allow nations to grow and prosper on their own. It encourages patience and strategic planning. In short, Deuteronomy 7:22 is about a gradual, carefully managed process of establishing Israel’s dominance while allowing other nations to continue existing. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Give you an example of how this principle might be applied today?