When Israel became stronger, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor, but they never drove them out completely. When Israel became strongerThis phrase indicates a period of increased military and political power for the Israelites after their initial settlement in the Promised Land. The strengthening of Israel can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to give them the land, yet it also reflects a time of incomplete obedience. Historically, this period follows the conquest led by Joshua, where the tribes of Israel were tasked with taking possession of their allotted territories. The strengthening could be attributed to their growing numbers, military successes, and the establishment of a more organized tribal confederation. they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor
Instead of fully obeying God's command to drive out the Canaanites, the Israelites chose to subjugate them, using them for labor. This decision reflects a compromise with the surrounding pagan culture, which would later lead to spiritual and moral decline. The practice of using conquered peoples for labor was common in the ancient Near East, and it provided economic benefits. However, it also meant that the Canaanites remained a significant influence, leading to idolatry and syncretism among the Israelites. but they never drove them out completely
This incomplete obedience had long-term consequences for Israel. The presence of the Canaanites among them led to ongoing conflicts and spiritual corruption, as seen in later narratives throughout the book of Judges. The failure to fully drive out the Canaanites is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, symbolizing the persistent struggle between faithfulness to God and the temptation to conform to the world. This phrase also foreshadows the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes the period of the Judges. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the importance of complete obedience to God's commands. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelThe collective name for the descendants of Jacob, also known as the Israelites. In this context, it refers to the tribes of Israel who were settling in the Promised Land. 2. CanaanitesThe original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, which God had promised to the Israelites. They were often seen as a corrupting influence due to their idolatrous practices. 3. Forced LaborA practice where the Israelites subjected the Canaanites to servitude instead of completely driving them out as God had commanded. 4. Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. It was to be a place where Israel could live according to God's laws. 5. JudgesThe leaders and deliverers of Israel during the period between Joshua's leadership and the establishment of the monarchy. This book records the cycles of Israel's faithfulness and disobedience. Teaching Points Partial Obedience is DisobedienceIsrael's failure to fully obey God's command to drive out the Canaanites led to long-term consequences. Partial obedience can lead to spiritual compromise in our lives. The Danger of CompromiseAllowing sin to remain in our lives, like the Canaanites in the land, can lead to spiritual decay. We must be diligent in removing sin completely. Strength and ResponsibilityWhen Israel became strong, they chose convenience over obedience. As Christians, we must use our strengths to fulfill God's commands, not for personal gain. Consequences of DisobedienceIsrael's decision to subject the Canaanites to forced labor instead of driving them out led to future conflicts and idolatry. Our disobedience can have lasting effects. God's Faithfulness Despite Our FailuresDespite Israel's failures, God remained faithful to His covenant. This encourages us to rely on God's grace and strive for obedience. Bible Study Questions 1. What were the consequences of Israel's decision to subject the Canaanites to forced labor instead of driving them out completely? 2. How does the concept of partial obedience apply to our lives today, and what areas might we be compromising in? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we are using our strengths and resources to fully obey God's commands? 4. How can the account of Israel's disobedience in Judges 1:28 serve as a warning for us in our spiritual walk? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness despite your own failures. How can this encourage you to pursue complete obedience? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 7:1-2God commanded Israel to completely destroy the Canaanites to avoid being led astray by their practices. This highlights Israel's disobedience in Judges 1:28. Joshua 23:12-13Joshua warned Israel about the consequences of not driving out the remaining nations, which would become snares and traps for them. 1 Kings 9:21Solomon also subjected the remaining Canaanites to forced labor, showing a continued pattern of incomplete obedience. People Abednego, Achsah, Adonibezek, Ahiman, Amalekites, Amorites, Anak, Anath, Arad, Arba, Asher, Asherites, Benjamin, Benjamites, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Danites, Debir, Edomites, Hittites, Hobab, Israelites, Jebusites, Joseph, Joshua, Kenaz, Manasseh, Naphtali, Naphtalites, Othniel, Perizzites, Rehob, Sheshai, Simeon, Simeonites, Talmai, Zebulun, ZidonPlaces Acco, Achzib, Ahlab, Aijalon, Akrabbim, Aphik, Arad, Ashkelon, Beth-anath, Bethel, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Bezek, Debir, Dor, Ekron, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeah, Hebron, Helbah, Hormah, Ibleam, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arba, Kiriath-sepher, Kitron, Luz, Megiddo, Mount Heres, Nahalol, Negeb, Rehob, Sela, Shaalbim, Sidon, Taanach, ZephathTopics Canaanite, Canaanites, Completely, Dispossessed, Drive, Driving, Drove, Expel, Forced, Grew, Grown, Labor, Pass, Pressed, Setteth, Strong, Subjected, Taskwork, Task-work, Tribute, Utterly, Waxed, Waxen, Whenever, WiseDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:28 5607 warfare, examples
7447 slavery, in OT Judges 1:27-35 7259 promised land, later history Library The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleThe Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Tsippor
"Tsippor is the greatest city of Galilee, and built in a very strong place." "Kitron (Judg 1:29,30) is Tsippor: and why is it called Tsippor? Because it is seated upon a mountain as Tsippor, a bird." "Sixteen miles on all sides from Tsippor was a land flowing with milk and honey." This city is noted in Josephus for its warlike affairs; but most noted in the Talmudists for the university fixed there, and for the learning, which Rabbi Judah the Holy brought hither, as we have said before. He sat in …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
ISRAEL'S VICTORIES OVER THE CANAANITES.--Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible II,1-4.1. Prin. of Politics X. That the leaders took the lead in Israel, That the people volunteered readily, Bless Jehovah! Zebulun was a people who exposed themselves to deadly peril, And Naphtali on the heights of the open field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. Prom heaven fought the stars, From their …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: Advent of the Hebrews] Modern discovery and research have demonstrated that the truth revealed through the Babylonians and with less definiteness through the people of the Nile was never entirely lost. Such a sad waste was out of accord with the obvious principles of divine economy. As the icy chill of ceremonialism seized decadent Babylonia and Egypt, there emerged from the steppes south and east of Palestine a virile, ambitious group of nomads, who not only fell heir to that which …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee.
The bonds of Galilee were, "on the south, Samaris and Scythopolis, unto the flood of Jordan." Scythopolis is the same with Beth-shean, of which is no seldom mention in the Holy Scriptures, Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27; 1 Samuel 31:10. "Bethsaine (saith Josephus), called by the Greeks Scythopolis." It was distant but a little way from Jordan, seated in the entrance to a great valley: for so the same author writes, "Having passed Jordan, they came to a great plain, where lies before you the city Bethsane," …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 1:28 NIVJudges 1:28 NLTJudges 1:28 ESVJudges 1:28 NASBJudges 1:28 KJV
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