What does Judges 1:31 teach about obedience to God's commands?

Setting the Scene

- After Joshua’s death, each tribe received a clear mandate: “You shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you” (Numbers 33:52; cf. Deuteronomy 7:1–2).

- Judges 1 records how the tribes responded. Verse 31 singles out Asher:

“Nor did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Acco or of Sidon or Ahlab or Achzib or Helbah or Aphik or Rehob.” (Judges 1:31)

- The narrative is straightforward—no interpretation needed. God commanded; Asher did not obey.

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The Command Ignored

- “Did not drive out” = willful failure, not inability.

- God had already promised victory (Joshua 1:5). Asher’s lack was spiritual, not military.

- By keeping the Canaanites, Asher rejected the covenant stipulation for holy separation (Exodus 34:12–16).

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Lessons on Obedience

1. Obedience is complete, not selective

• God’s directives are all-or-nothing (Deuteronomy 12:32).

• Partial compliance = disobedience (1 Samuel 15:22–23).

2. Faith trusts the Giver of the command

• Asher’s fear or convenience overrode confidence in God’s promise (Hebrews 3:18–19).

3. Holiness requires decisive action

• Leaving pockets of sin invites future compromise (Romans 13:14).

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Consequences of Partial Obedience

- Immediate: Canaanites remain, bringing their idols and culture.

- Ongoing: “The Israelites lived among the Canaanites… and they served their gods” (Judges 3:5–7).

- Ultimate: Repeated cycles of oppression in Judges (Judges 2:14–15).

- Principle: what we refuse to expel today will rule us tomorrow (Galatians 5:9, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump”).

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Personal Application Today

• Identify “inhabitants” still allowed in your life—habitual sins, worldly influences, uncompromised friendships.

• Rely on God’s Spirit to “put to death the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13).

• Practice immediate, wholehearted obedience:

– Hear the Word (James 1:22).

– Act without delay (Psalm 119:60).

– Finish completely (2 Corinthians 7:1).

Judges 1:31 reads like a single verse, yet it shouts a timeless truth: obedience to God cannot be partial. Anything less than full surrender invites defeat and diminishes the blessings He has promised.