Judges 1:27 – 36 “At that time Manasseh failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, and Megiddo, or any of their villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land. When Israel became stronger, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor, but they never drove them out completely. Ephraim also failed to drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer; so the Canaanites continued to dwell among them in Gezer. Zebulun failed to drive out the inhabitants of Kitron and Nahalol; so the Canaanites lived among them and served as forced laborers. Asher failed to drive out the inhabitants of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob. So the Asherites lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, because they did not drive them out. Naphtali failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. So the Naphtalites also lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, but the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath served them as forced laborers. The Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to come down into the plain. And the Amorites were determined to dwell in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim. But when the house of Joseph grew in strength, they pressed the Amorites into forced labor. And the border of the Amorites extended from the Ascent of Akrabbimg to Sela and beyond.”
This passage is one of the most disappointing pieces of Scripture there is. All of these tribes had been promised that God would go before them and would help them conquer; yet, they failed. Look at the list: Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulon, Asher, Naphtali, Dan – Half the tribes of Israel failed to conquer the land that had been promised to them. Why? “Because the ____ were determined to dwell in that land.”
God had already promised His guidance and His blessing, but the Israelites had to go in and conquer. Instead of conquering, these tribes settled for what they could get easily. Instead of seeking help from God to overcome these obstacles, these men simply lowered their expectations. Perhaps the reasoning went something like this: “Yes, we know that God ordered us to kill all these people, but really is that necessary? Won’t it be the same thing if we just live among them? Then we can teach them about God. Doesn’t that sound like a better idea? Surely God doesn’t REALLY want all these people to die.”
In the case of the tribe of Dan, the Amorites forced the Danites up into the hill country. If the name “Amorites” sounds familiar, you have to go all the way back to Genesis 15 where God cut covenant with Abraham. At that time, God told Abraham that Abraham’s descendants would not receive their land immediately “because the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” (Genesis 15:16)
God gave the Amorites hundreds of years to repent and turn away from their wicked practices, but now it was time for the Amorites to be wiped out. Instead of completing the conquest, the tribe of Dan retreated into the hill country and then later put the Amorites to forced labor. The tribes of Zebulon and Naphtali also put the people whom they were supposed to eliminate to forced labor. But if the Israelites became strong enough to put these people groups to forced labor, why didn’t they just go ahead and conquer them completely? The answer is simple: these tribes had already settled. It’s quite possible that young people from these tribes were intermarrying with the local people. To wipe out those local people at that point would have meant killing the Israelites who had married in defiance of God’s explicit orders. Having not acted decisively when they should have, these warriors would now face murdering their own children and grand children. And really, wouldn’t putting these people to forced labor accomplish the same purpose? Actually, no!
APPLICATION: Human beings have an incredible ability to rationalize. Several cynics have observed that many people regard the Ten Commandments as if they were the Ten Suggestions instead – something to be accepted or rejected, depending on convenience.
The small nations that the Israelites were to obliterate had dedicated themselves to worshiping demons. God knew that as long as there were any traces left of those people or their form of worship, the Israelites would be at risk of compromising. Some of the most tempting cults were the fertility cults that celebrated with mass orgies and ritual sex, a total departure from the manner in which God wanted His chosen people to live. These same people also sacrificed their children to several different gods, another practice that God abhorred.
As we read these accounts, we might feel a bit smug. After all, we don’t compromise…or do we? In recent years, many Christian groups have faced major challenges in funding. Sometimes funds are available but they come with strings attached. Accept money from some sources and your organization may find itself buying into a set of values that are totally wrong. And once you have taken someone’s money, it means that they have bought you and your reputation. Now these groups can use your acceptance as propaganda to get others to compromise as well.
The question that the tribes of Israel failed to confront is this: where is your source of supply? Whom will you serve? If you serve the One True Living God, then you must refuse any assistance that will lead you in a wrong direction. And the second related question is this: Can God supply all your needs or not? If God is truly who He says He is, then God can supply your needs and you should refuse to bend your principles.
The Israelites failed to conquer the land of Canaan completely, and the people groups that were left behind proved to be the downfall of the Israelites. Today, many of us face enormous challenges, and the question remains the same. Will we trust God or not?
PRAYER: Father God, help us to trust You no matter what! Lord, You know the pressures on each person who reads this devotional. Help them to choose to follow you, even if things become difficult. Help us all not to bend or bow to evil. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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