The verse tells of a dangerous trend!

Especially since God had promised total victory to the Israelites.

“Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but DID NOT utterly drive them out.” Joshua 17:13

To “drive out” means “to dispossess, to seize, to occupy.”

To “put to tribute” means (literally) “to give to forced labor.”

And the “Canaanites” are ungodly people, filthy in their sinful ways.

In fact, God had promised Israel HELP in driving out such ungodliness! “And I (the Lord) will send hornets before thee, which SHALL DRIVE OUT the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.” Exodus 23:28

And God had carefully warned Israel of the consequences of NOT driving our the heathen. “But IF ye will NOT DRIVE OUT the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.” Numbers 33:55

Still … today’s verse reports: “When the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out.”

Wow!

Spiritual laziness!

They, the Jews, were “strong.”

They “could have” done it, claimed their land exclusively.

But they chose to “live near” all that sin and degradation!

Besides, these people could be turned into “assets!”

Free labor!

Heavy taxation!

What’s not to like?

“Cash in” on the opportunity!

But before we know it … Israel has begun to adopt the ways of her non-believing “neighbors!”

And it all began … by not obeying God in living a “separated” life!

Paul adds: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2nd Corinthians 6:14-18

What an admonition!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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