Key Text: The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim – Judges 2:11.
In our previous lesson, Joshua divided the land among the tribes, and each tribe was commanded to clear its own territory of enemies and “You shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.” Biblical record indicates that Israel was successful in the hills of Palestine, but not in the low-lying areas where the Canaanites adopted chariot warfare. Unable to cope with these chariots of iron, the tribes involved failed to drive the inhabitants out (1:31). Even when Israel was able to drive the Canaanites out, they forced the Canaanites into forced labor, against their covenant made with God. The Israelites valued slaves more than God and they mingled with them, and to a degree, they accepted their pagan ways. Influenced by the nature and fertility gods of the surrounding peoples, which appealed to the materialistic and sensual in their nature, the Israelites bowed themselves unto them. They forsook the Lord, and they served Baal and the Ashtareths.
Israel has broken their promise with God and His question is direct, “What is this you have done?” But Israel could not give an acceptable answer, except, “The people lifted up their voices and wept.” The tears from the captured culprit and now the penitent heart seem to be the most eloquent answer to the query, “Why?” But God rebukes Israel, “Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out from before you; but they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare unto you.” Universalism in religion (to institutionalize) was not the message for Israel. Modern Christians have the same temptation that faced the Israelites in Canaan, to “forsake” their Christian convictions, even while they protest against greed, and sometimes power. AMEN!
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