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"No More Canaanite."
(Zech. 14: 21).
pp. 172 - 174
The closing words of the Prophets are full of interest and instruction, bringing to a
focus the goal and purpose of the age. The last verse of Zechariah is no exception. After
describing the holiness of the people of Israel in the day of their restoration, the prophet
adds:--
"And in that day there shall no more be the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of
Hosts" (Zech. 14: 21).
In the Revelation the sin and sorrow of Gen. 3:, and the overthrowing deluge of
Gen. 1: 2 are seen to pass away:--
"I saw a new heaven and a new earth . . . . . and there was no more sea" (Rev. 21: 1 --
Gen. 1: 2).
"There shall be no more death, sorrow, crying, pain." "There shall be no more curse"
(21: 4; 22: 3 -- Gen. 3:).
Zechariah however speaks of certain nations that shall "no more" be in the house of
the Lord. Are we to look upon these Canaanites as being in the same category with the
"deep" of Gen. 1: 2, and the curse, sin, death and sorrow of Gen. 3:? The only way to
obtain an answer to this question is to "search and see" what the Scriptures teach.
The Canaanites take their name from Canaan, the son of Ham. As a result of his
father's action, Canaan is cursed by Noah. "Cursed be Canaan" (Gen. 9: 25). It is
important to notice those who are cursed in Scripture, and their relation one to the other:--
The Serpent.--"Thou are cursed above all cattle" (Gen. 3: 14).
The Ground.--"Cursed is the ground for thy sake" (Gen. 3: 17).
Cain.--"Thou art cursed from the earth" (Gen. 4: 11).
Canaan.--"Cursed be Canaan" (Gen. 9: 25).
Contrary to common belief neither Adam nor Eve were cursed in Gen. 3: Sorrow
and toil until death, with the hope of the promised seed and the pledge of the cherubim
are the results of Adam's sin, but the curse falls upon the Serpent and upon the ground.
The first man to be cursed is Cain, and though the first son of Adam and Eve, was "of
that wicked one" (I John 3: 12). The second man to be cursed is Canaan, and through
him the Canaanites. And the Canaanites likewise appear to be closely connected with the
wicked one. The land of Canaan was inhabited in earlier days by races of giants called
Anakim, Avim, Emims, Horim, Rephaim, Suzim and Zamzammim, but these earlier
races were supplanted by the Canaanites. The first mention of the land of Canaan is
found in Gen. 11: 31:--
"Terah took Abram . . . . . to go into the land of Canaan."