They were to totally drive out the nations from the land. Now "totally destroying" them may include an element of hyperbole, but we need to look at the reason for the command. These nations and religions they followed were brutal and their religions involved all kinds of immorality, with prostitution playing a big role in many of their rituals. This is why the Israelites were not to have anything to do with them, and to make no compromise with them. For if they did, the influence of these peoples would be to corrupt the Israelites. Israel was to establish itself as a nation living under God's laws, and so become a beacon of light to all other nations. Similarly the church is to demonstrate a new way of living to the world. The emphasis is on destroying the religion of the peoples they were displacing.
Then Moses reminds the people that the Lord did not chose them because they were more numerous than other nations, but because He loved them and had made a promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Our very existence rests on the fact that God loves us.
So the Lord is the one we should fear. If Israel obeyed the Lord, then she would be secure and prosper. If she did not, then she would not be secure and would suffer disaster. It was as simple as that. For us, we should look to the Lord in all circumstances, for He alone is the source of our salvation.
When looking at the circumstances it may seem impossible. God addresses this issue in the latter part of this chapter. First, they are to remember what God has already done. Then there is the promise of continual help and support. He will continue to deliver them.
At the same time there is the warning that He will not do this all at once, but little by little. In our own lives we should always look to the Lord. Step by step He will give us victory over situations.
Again, there are stark warnings against having anything to do with the religions of their enemies.
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