The Lord told Israel he would not drive out the inhabitants of the promised land in one year  (23:29). Had he done so Israel would not be prepared to take possession. The basic idea is that of preparation. 

Jesus has said he goes before his people to prepare a place for them (John 14:2). We shall not enter heaven until all things are duly prepared for us and within us. Not until then are we ready to claim our promised inheritance.

It is the Lord himself who clears the way for his people (23:30). He drove out the inhabitants of Canaan. He drives out the enemy so that his people can enter heaven. On the cross of Calvary Jesus made a public spectacle of evil forces and triumphed over them (Col.2:15).  Satan will soon be crushed under our feet (Romans 16:20).

It was necessary that Israel increase in number before it entered the promised land (23:30). Hence, little by little Israel would grow and then take possession. Likewise, the Christian Church is made up of an elect number which number must be reached before the end of the age. 

Little by little, throughout the world, people are coming to faith in Jesus Christ. The full number shall be reached and then the end will come. Jesus came to die for his people and until the full number is saved the church remains incomplete. Little by little it will reach the determined number.

The Lord set boundaries for Israel (23:31). He is the sovereign God over nations. He determines the boundaries of very nation. He sets the time-span of every civilisation (Acts 17:26). Israel must live within the parameters set by God. Christians must also live within divine parameters which parameters are spiritual and are set by the moral law of God.

Israel must enter into conflict with the nations (23:31). God’s people must taste conflict during their pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is not a picnic. It is a conflict. The church must enter into battle with principalities and powers (Eph. 6:11-17). Israel enters the promised land after many conflicts. Likewise, Christians shall enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations (Acts 14:22).

Israel was forbidden to enter any covenant with the surrounding nations (23:32,33). The point being the need to separate from the pagan nations around lest the nations would cause Israel to sin against God. The same holds true today. Christians are to be separate from the world and not lured into its ways. The Canaanites were a constant threat to Israel. The world is a constant threat to the church. Trials are a test of our loyalty to Christ. They will not trip us; but they will test us. Thank God we have a great Saviour who will keep us just as he kept a remnant in Israel.

The overall lesson from Exodus 23:30 is that in our spiritual walk we progress little by little before we reach heaven. We are not sanctified immediately but only after many trials. We may fail but we shall rise. We may fall but we will not be lost. Little by little, like Israel, we shall reach our promised land.