Hivites חִוִּי

We are in chapter thirty-three of Exodus with our word for today. חִוִּי Hivi, Hivite. It is used 25 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used to identify a nation of people. The first time our word is used in the Bible it is used to show the original descendants of this nation starting with Noah. Genesis 10:6, 15, 17 The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan … Canaan fathered … הַֽחִוִּ֥י the Hivites. We find them living on mount Lebanon. Judges 3:3 the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. We also find our word used to describe the origin of Shechem’s father. Genesis 34:2 when Shechem the son of Hamor הַֽחִוִּ֖י the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. Most of the uses of our word are part of the list of nations that lived in the land God promised to give his people. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Exodus 33:2 I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, הַחִוִּ֖י the Hivites, and the Jebusites. As we have seen God warns his people over and over again of not allowing those nations around them to lead them away from him. Our word for today is used to once again make God’s point. Judges 3:5-6 So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites ... וְהַחִוִּ֖י the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And their daughters they took to themselves for wives, and their own daughters they gave to their sons, and they served their gods. God identifies why he allowed this nation of people to remain among them. Judges 3:1-3 Now these are the nations that the Lord left, to test Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars in Canaan. It was only in order that the generations of the people of Israel might know war, to teach war to those who had not known it before. These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and וְהַ֣חִוִּ֔י the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon. Did you see the reason? It was to test the people and get them ready that is prepared to fight. It is true that God gave the people the promised land but that didn’t mean that they were to be passive. God not only tested them as we have already looked at but also wanted them to prepare for a fight. In the New Testament we see God doing both things in our relationship with him. Yes, he gives us salvation through his son’s death in our place. This is something that we cannot earn but is given as a gift. Our receiving this gift does not mean that we will not be tested or tempted ever again. It also doesn’t mean that we will not have a battle on our hands that God both equips and cheers us on to not just fight but to be victorious. There is a lot in the New Testament about this battle. I’ll close with this great passage. Ephesians 6:10-17 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.