What does "could not drive out the inhabitants" teach about faith and perseverance? Setting the Scene Israel had crossed the Jordan, celebrated Jericho’s fall, and begun allotting territory tribe by tribe. Yet, as the book of Judges opens, a troubling refrain surfaces: “they could not drive out the inhabitants.” The first example appears with Judah. Key Verse “The LORD was with Judah, and he drove out the inhabitants of the hill country, but he could not drive out those of the valley because they had chariots of iron.” (Judges 1:19) Initial Observations • God’s presence is affirmed: “The LORD was with Judah.” • Victory in the hills proves His power was already active. • The failure happened “because they had chariots of iron,” an intimidating military advantage. • Scripture never hints that God’s strength was insufficient; the weakness lay with the people’s response. What the Phrase Teaches About Faith • Faith relies on God’s word, not visible odds (Numbers 13:30; 2 Corinthians 5:7). • The iron chariots became larger in Judah’s eyes than the God who had split the Red Sea and crushed Egypt’s chariots (Exodus 14:24-25). • Faith is active obedience. God had promised, “You shall drive out all the inhabitants” (Numbers 33:52-53). Doubt turned the command into a mere suggestion. • Each partial victory turned into a test of faith for later battles (Judges 2:2-3). What the Phrase Teaches About Perseverance • Perseverance continues when resistance intensifies. Trials do not signal God’s absence; they reveal the depth of our trust (James 1:2-4). • Israel stopped short; perseverance would have pressed on until every stronghold fell. Galatians 6:9 urges, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” • God’s promises often unfold progressively (Joshua 13:1). Delays are invitations to renewed courage, not excuses for retreat (Deuteronomy 31:6). • When Israel eventually confronted iron chariots under Deborah and Barak, God flooded the battlefield and rendered the chariots useless (Judges 4:15). Perseverance waits for God’s timing and method. The Cost of Stopping Short • Remaining Canaanites became snares, leading Israel into idolatry (Judges 2:11-15). • Compromised obedience produced generations of conflict that could have been avoided (Psalm 106:34-36). • The lesson is clear: partial obedience is disobedience, and it undermines spiritual health. Encouragement for Today • Identify “iron chariots” in modern life—intimidating situations, entrenched sins, cultural pressures. • Stand on God’s unchanging promises (Hebrews 10:35-36). • Move forward, even when progress seems incremental; God often strengthens faith through small, faithful steps (Matthew 25:21). • Trust that the same Lord who was “with Judah” is with every believer in Christ (Matthew 28:20). Faith that perseveres will see walls fall and strongholds crumble in His perfect time. |
    |