"But Manasseh did not drive out the people of Beth Shan or Taanach or Dor or Ibleam or Migiddo and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land." (Judges 1:27, NIV)
"....The Canaanites were determined...," which indicates to me, the Hebrews were not. They had the command of God to go in and conquer the land, occupy the land, live in it and enjoy the fruit of it. Yet there was an indication of trouble earlier in the chapter, "The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had chariots fitted with iron." O, I get it; God cannot deal with, "chariots fitted with iron." What "chariots fitted with iron" have you yielded to today, chariots which seem just too powerful, unbeatable? There is the phrase, "He wanted it more than the others." Now while genetics also play a part in athletics, "determined," many times rewards the winner. I remember when they used to say that 75% of football was above the neck. Interpretation: Attitude usually wins.
"....for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land." From what I can gather, the word/phrase, "were determined," has the sense that they would do whatever it took to stay in their possession. Who could possibly doubt that the Enemy of God and his creation is also, "determined," will do whatever it takes, whatever is within his/their power to do to keep you and me from, "to live in that land." Now Jesus defeated him and the, "principalities and powers," in His Cross and Resurrection, "It is finished." So, if you and I are not winning in the battle of life, we are not walking in "the finished work of Christ." We have surrendered to the intimidation of, "chariots fitted with iron."
The verse after our text says, "When Israel became strong, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor but never drove them out completely." Sometimes that just seems to be the easy way out. Now God commanded the Jews to drive, "them out completely." But when the battle became too difficult, took too much effort, the Hebrews gave up and settled for "coexistence." The Canaanites were more, "determined to live in that land," than the Jews. This does not work. It was the gods of those very Canaannites which most Jews finally worshiped and served, and we are in the same danger when we "settle" for less than what Our Lord Jesus promises/commands. We cannot wear out and accept anything less than the full purposes, obedience to the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible, history, and experience reveal that when compromise prevails, we don't
Father, in Jesus' Name, show me any "determined" deficiencies. Amen.
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"....The Canaanites were determined...," which indicates to me, the Hebrews were not. They had the command of God to go in and conquer the land, occupy the land, live in it and enjoy the fruit of it. Yet there was an indication of trouble earlier in the chapter, "The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had chariots fitted with iron." O, I get it; God cannot deal with, "chariots fitted with iron." What "chariots fitted with iron" have you yielded to today, chariots which seem just too powerful, unbeatable? There is the phrase, "He wanted it more than the others." Now while genetics also play a part in athletics, "determined," many times rewards the winner. I remember when they used to say that 75% of football was above the neck. Interpretation: Attitude usually wins.
"....for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land." From what I can gather, the word/phrase, "were determined," has the sense that they would do whatever it took to stay in their possession. Who could possibly doubt that the Enemy of God and his creation is also, "determined," will do whatever it takes, whatever is within his/their power to do to keep you and me from, "to live in that land." Now Jesus defeated him and the, "principalities and powers," in His Cross and Resurrection, "It is finished." So, if you and I are not winning in the battle of life, we are not walking in "the finished work of Christ." We have surrendered to the intimidation of, "chariots fitted with iron."
The verse after our text says, "When Israel became strong, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor but never drove them out completely." Sometimes that just seems to be the easy way out. Now God commanded the Jews to drive, "them out completely." But when the battle became too difficult, took too much effort, the Hebrews gave up and settled for "coexistence." The Canaanites were more, "determined to live in that land," than the Jews. This does not work. It was the gods of those very Canaannites which most Jews finally worshiped and served, and we are in the same danger when we "settle" for less than what Our Lord Jesus promises/commands. We cannot wear out and accept anything less than the full purposes, obedience to the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible, history, and experience reveal that when compromise prevails, we don't
Father, in Jesus' Name, show me any "determined" deficiencies. Amen.
**********************
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
