Why God Waited While the Canaanites Repaired the Land

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 226:10

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Another interpretation: all the more so, why did He not bring them in by the direct route? Rather, when the Canaanites heard that Israel was entering the land, they arose and burned the crops, cut down the saplings, demolished the buildings, and stopped up the springs. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: I did not promise Abraham their father that I would bring them into a ruined land, but into a land full of all good things, as it is said, "and houses full of all good things" (Deuteronomy 6:11). Rather, behold, I will lead them around in the wilderness forty years, so that the Canaanites will arise and repair what they ruined.

Themes

Holy LandProvidencePatriarchs

Continue Reading

Book of JubileesThe First TorahThe familiar picture has Moses on Mount Sinai, receiving the divine word directly from God. Forty days and forty nights of dictation. But what if I told you thePrayer of JosephJacob The AngelWas Jacob, the patriarch, just an ordinary man? Tradition whispers secrets, suggesting his story is far grander than we might imagine. Some even say his true na3 EnochThe Souls Of The PatriarchsSome of these images paint a picture of them continuing to fight for us, even from the next world. One such story tells of the souls of the patriarchs – AbrahamBen SiraA Prayer to End the Arrogance of TyrantsIt pulls no punches in its call for humility and divine justice. Ben Sira, a sage writing in Hebrew around 200 BCE, gives us these powerful words: "Make an end Ben SiraThou Art My Father and Mighty SalvationIt's in those moments that People often turn to something greater, something beyond ourselves. And that's precisely what we find in the words attributed to Ben Book of JubileesGod Commands Moses to Write Down All HistoryBook of Jubilees turns to God Commands Moses to Write Down All History. God commands Moses, "Write down for thyself all these words which I declare unto thee on