Living Room Study

Judges 3

“These are the nations the Lord left in order to test Israel, since
none of the Israelites had fought in any of the wars with Canaan.
This was to teach the future generations of the Israelites how to
fight in battle, especially those who had not fought before.” Judges
3: 1-2

Make no doubt about it. The Lord was not pleased with Israel as this
moment. Israel had sinned against Him by failing to drive-out the
former inhabitants of Canaan. Adonai had promised to ensure victory
to each tribe who fought faithfully & boldly. So, what are we to make
of this statement, that God left some nations in Canaan to teach
future generations of Israelites how to fight?

I am glad to know that God is not just the God of the “second chance”.
I used up my second chance years ago. Rather, I rejoice in the
knowledge that God is the God of “another chance”. Do you remember
what Paul told the Roman church?

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love
God: those are called, according to His purpose.” Romans 8: 28

God will accomplish His purposes, regardless of our decisions. If we
choose to obey and follow Him, He elects to go before us and bless us.
If we choose to disregard the Lord, He will still accomplish His
purposes while rebuking us. His will is not bound by our decisions,
but our peace with Him is.

God had & has great purposes for Israel. (Romans 11) In Judges 3,
Israel had settled among the Canaanites. Instead of driving them out,
Israel had chosen to take Canaanite daughters as wives for themselves,
give their own daughters to their sons, and worship their gods.

Israel’s choice of “inter-national” compromise ensured inevitable
future warfare with those nations. This was not God’s desire for
Israel. But His gracious mercy towards Israel was that He parlayed
their bad faith decisions into a teaching scenario.

The Israelites needed rebuke, because they had forsaken the Lord. On
the other hand, they also needed to be preserved as a nation, because
God was raising-up Messiah Jesus through their bloodline. All things
worked together for the greater good of God’s purpose.

Ask yourself: Do you want God purpose for your life to be advanced
through your faithful obedience, or in spite of your rebellion?

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins