So this Sichem was located in the northern land of Israel, in what was to become known as Samaria. There's much meaning to this place, and its importance will come up many times throughout God's Word.
     Why this statement, "And the Canaanite was then in the land"? Since we already know our Father told Abram to get out of Babel and head to the land of Canaan, certainly we know that land might have Canaanites living in it. So what's the Message, for this is a type of 'marker'. If you've studied with me for long, you've run into other markers similar to this one in God's Word. The Message is that since we'll later discover other peoples mixed among the Canaanites, it means Lucifer's host were already there and waiting on the Seed of the Woman to appear, that being Abram and Sarai, the genealogy of our Lord Christ Jesus. The wicked one well knows The Plan, and even had made three major attempts thus far to stop Christ's birth. The first being the murder of Abel by Cain, and then the fallen angels mating with daughters of 'the man Adam', and finally by the Babel tower event mixing of peoples to build one empire.
     All this is a Message to recognize God's enemies, and thus our enemies. We recognize God's enemies by their 'fruit', as our Lord said. Those of God seek to do His Will.

 

Matthew 7:15-27: 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruit... 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.

 

 And if one doesn't know what God's Will is from His Word, then how can they produce good fruit, or even recognize the evil fruit of God's enemies? God's Word is the Measuring Stick by which all works may be known.

Gen 12:7    And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, "Unto thy seed will I give this land:" and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, Who appeared unto him.

     Here God actually appears to Abram, and reaffirms a promise of inheritance to his seed, and he builds an altar to The LORD. Abraham didn't reap this inheritance, as it was to his seed.

 

 Acts 7: Read All. 8 And He gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

 

That promise of inheritance is still in effect today, though the final fulfilments we still wait for when our Lord Jesus Christ returns, for the children of Abraham (all believers in Christ) will inherit the land. This means 'all' who have been concluded under sin, which become over comers in Christ, so that The Promise by 'faith' in Jesus Christ might be to those who believe.

 

(Galatians 3 especially verses 22-29): 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin , the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

 Accordingly, the final 'inheritance' is to those who believe on Jesus Christ, and not to any specific 'flesh' seed. That means if you are an 'over comer' in Christ Jesus, then the land of Promise God gave to Abraham is 'yours', and 'our' inheritance, regardless of race.

Gen 12:8    And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.