Airbrushed Culture

Joshua 23 the temptation for the Israelites to be influenced by the nations in Canaan was very high. They had already shown over two generations that they were capable of compromise, especially where ornamented women were involved. The Canaanite people that the Israelites were replacing were far more advanced in almost every sense except true worship. The Canaanites had access to beautiful clothes, jewellery and artwork and to advanced practical technologies. The modern desire that many have to travel to Western countries for a “better” life is comparable to the desire the Israelites would have had for the luxuries of Canaan. These luxuries would have naturally tempted them to join with the Canaanites in friendship, to learn how to live this luxurious life. Deuteronomy 21:10-14 requires removal of hair, long nails and changing the clothes of a Canaanite woman for Israelite ones, as well as a mourning period. These instructions seem to be more than for the benefit of the woman. This would have caused the beautification Canaanite women did to themselves to be removed and forced the Israelite man to choose her for herself, not simply her “airbrushed” appearance. While I don’t think this needs to be applied for every couple, and it certainly was not intended that way. It is worth remembering this when courting. But anyway, the more civilised Canaanites would have been alluring to the Israelites, and led them astray, the strict laws made for the entry to the promised land were to make sure that the weak Israelites did not fall into apostasy.