Deu 12:2 | MHM | STEP | vv. 2-3 : Moses tells the Israelites to completely destroy all the places where the Canaanites worshipped their gods ( v. 2, 3 ). This includes altars, sacred pillars, and images on the mountains, hills, and under green trees. The reason is to remove all traces of idol worship so that the land will not be polluted by these things. By doing this, they protect their religion and make sure nobody will ever try to use these places to worship the true God, which could lead them back into wrong practices. They must erase even the names of these idols. Moses starts with this command because people must reject evil before they can do what is right (Rom. 12:9 ). God’s kingdom must replace the old ways of idolatry completely, since there can be no agreement between God and false gods.

‏ Deuteronomy 12:2

vv. 2-3: Moses tells the Israelites to completely destroy all the places where the Canaanites worshipped their gods (v. 2, 3 ^a). This includes altars, sacred pillars, and images on the mountains, hills, and under green trees. The reason is to remove all traces of idol worship so that the land will not be polluted by these things. By doing this, they protect their religion and make sure nobody will ever try to use these places to worship the true God, which could lead them back into wrong practices. They must erase even the names of these idols. Moses starts with this command because people must reject evil before they can do what is right (Rom. 12:9 ^b). God’s kingdom must replace the old ways of idolatry completely, since there can be no agreement between God and false gods.