Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob: But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out(Judg. 1:31-32).
The Book of Joshua ended on a note of hope and confidence. The land was divided in accordance with the will of God, and the nation came together and renewed their Covenant with God. And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey (Josh. 24:24). Afterwards, the people dispersed, each to their own tribe's inheritance, so that they might clear the land of the remaining Canaanites and commence with the lives God had given them. The Book of Judges opens on a similar note, but before even half a chapter has passed, it becomes apparent to even the least observant reader that things are going seriously wrong. Verse after verse, we read the same shocking refrain. Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of…(Judg. 1:27) Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites…(1:29). Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of…(1:30).
Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it (Num. 33:52-53). The Lord’s instructions to the Israelites had left no room for discussion. The Promised Land was to be completely cleared of its original inhabitants before the children of Israel settled down to possess the land. Although God would have been well within His rights to issue commands without explanation, in this instance, He chose to reveal the reason behind His directive. But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them (Num. 33:55-56). Yet even with full knowledge of what their failure would ultimately cost them, the Israelites were unwilling to expend the effort that would be required for full compliance with God’s will.
If we could go back in time and ask the Israelites why they allowed the native Canaanites to stay instead of driving them out as the Lord had commanded, we might be surprised at how familiar their answers would sound. Words such as ‘compromise,’ ‘tolerance,’ and ‘acceptance’ would most likely feature prominently in the conversation as they earnestly explained that they had done what they had to do to reconcile their faith in God with the ‘real world.’
The problem with this explanation, both then and now, is that the wrong thing is being reconciled. God’s love is pure, and His Word is absolute. To refuse any part of it is to reject the whole. There is no way in which our God can be made to ‘fit in’ with the fallen world that surrounds us. God had promised to change the world for the Israelites, but instead, they attempted to change God for the world. They failed, as will anyone else who is foolish enough to try.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God(James 4:4).
Thought For TodayNo part of our lives can be tethered to worldly sin if we hope to move into His kingdom.
Word Studies1:7 meat under my table = leftover food; requited = repaid; 1:20 expelled thence = drove out, defeated; 1:22 house = family; 1:23 descry = spy out; 1:27 would dwell = determined to remain.
Christ Revealed:As the Angel of the Lord who is understood to be Jesus Himself, for He speaks as God Himself (I made you . . . and have brought you . . . I sware . . . I said, I will . . . My Covenant) (Judg. 2:1-4). Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am (John 8:58).
Pray For Staff:Judy McCrary • Government Official: Sen. Alex Padilla (CA), Rep.Pete Sessions (TX)• Country: Uganda (35,918,915) Eastern Africa • Major Languages: English, Luganda • Religious Freedom • 41.9% Roman Catholic; 42% Protestant; 12.1% Muslim; 3.1% Other; 0.9% None • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that your life will always be pleasing to God (John 8:29).
Optional Reading:John 13