Exodus 34:12

12 Be careful that you don't make an agreement with the people who live in the land where you are going, because it will bring you trouble.

Exodus 34:12 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 34:12

Take heed to thyself
This is said not to Moses, but to the people of Israel, as a caution to them when they should enter the land of Canaan, and possess it:

lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither
thou goest:
enter into a league and alliance, to live friendly and amicably, and support and assist each other against the common enemy; whereas they were to smite the seven nations and destroy them, and show them no mercy, ( Deuteronomy 7:1 Deuteronomy 7:2 )

lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee;
be the means of drawing them into the same sinful practices with themselves, especially into idolatrous ones, and so of bringing ruin and destruction on them.

Exodus 34:12 In-Context

10 Then the Lord said, "I am making this agreement with you. I will do miracles in front of all your people -- things that have never before been done for any other nation on earth -- and the people with you will see my work. I, the Lord, will do wonderful things for you.

11 Obey the things I command you today, and I will force out the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites ahead of you.

12 Be careful that you don't make an agreement with the people who live in the land where you are going, because it will bring you trouble.

13 Destroy their altars, break their stone pillars, and cut down their Asherah idols.

14 Don't worship any other god, because I, the Lord, the Jealous One, am a jealous God.