breaking the cycle

I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the LORD as their fathers did, or not.

Judges 2:21-22

God sovereignly allowed a consistent cycle to regularly test the faith and obedience of Israel in the book of Judges. The total conquest of Canaan was supposed to take some time as God wanted Israel to grow in obedience as they took possession of the promised land. However, the tribes had a severe obedience problem. Repeatedly tribes chose compromise: Manasseh “did not drive out” (Joshua 1:27). Ephraim “did not drive out” (Joshua 1:29). Zebulon “did not drive out” (Joshua 1:30), Asher “did not drive out” (Joshua 1:31), and Naphtali “did not drive out” (Joshua 1:32). Instead of defeating Canaanites, they kept them subservient as forced labor, conveniently thinking their own plan was better than God’s plan. 

Israel quickly become not just disobedient, but unfaithful, turning to worship the gods of the enslaved Canaanite people as pagan culture seeped into Israel. And this began a vicious cycle: Israel would fall into idolatrous, evil worship practices. God would use the Canaanites to rise up in power and oppress His people. Israel would then cry out in repentance to God. God would deliver with a judge. And then over time Israel would lapse again, repeating the entire cycle.

God wanted to see His people remain faithful even among the Canaanites still in the land. He showed His power and deliverance time and again. And time and again faithless Israel failed the test. They needed a greater deliverer than any of the judges could ever be. Ultimately the book of Judges shows us how much we need Christ. We too are “prone to wander”… “prone to leave the God I love”.

Jesus,

I praise You, my Deliverer, my Savior, My Lord, and my God. Empower me to obey. Deliver me in my heart’s wandering. Fix my heart upon You!

Amen