Deuteronomy 9:3

“Understand therefore this day, etc.] Or be it known to you for your encouragement, and believe it: that the Lord thy God [is] he which goeth over before thee as a consuming fire: did not only go before them over the river Jordan, in a pillar of cloud and fire, to guide and direct them, and was a wall of fire around them to protect and defend them, but as a consuming fire, before which there is no standing, to destroy their enemies; (see <050424>Deuteronomy 4:24 <581229>Hebrews 12:29), he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face; be they as great and as mighty, as large and as tall as they may, they will not be able to stand before the Lord, but will soon be made low,…”

“So shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly - This is not inconsistent with Deuteronomy 7:22, in which instant annihilation is not to be expected for the reasons assigned. Here Moses urges the people to trust in God’s covenanted aid; since He would then make no delay in so destroying the nations attacked by them as to put them into enjoyment of the promises, and in doing so as fast as was for the well-being of Israel itself. return to 'Top of Page'”

“9:3 The graphic metaphor like a devouring fire depicts God’s war against his enemies (see 1:30). God will not just use fire but will himself be a raging inferno, consuming everything in his path. In the end, Israel would simply have to step in and occupy the subdued land.”

“Understand: Deu 9:6; Mat 15:10; Mar 7:14; Eph 5:17 goeth over: Deu 1:30, Deu 20:4, Deu 31:3-6; Jos 3:11, Jos 3:14; Mic 2:13; Rev 19:11-16 a consuming fire: Deu 4:24; Isa 27:4, Isa 30:27, Isa 30:30, Isa 30:33, Isa 33:14; Nah 1:5, Nah 1:6; Th2 1:8; Heb 12:29 he shall: Deu 7:1, Deu 7:2, Deu 7:16, Deu 7:23, Deu 7:24; Exo 23:29-31; Isa 41:10-16; Rom 8:31 Deuteronomy 9:4”