Introduction
In Judges chapter two, the LORD told Israel that as a result of their blatant idolatry, He would allow many of the pagan Canaanite nations to stay rooted in the land and be a thorn in Israel's side. This was a punishment that was also a trial for Israel. The trial was not in the sense of bring a difficulty that they had to endure, but rather, it was a judicial trial that would be held in God's courtroom. He would look at the evidence (Israel's behavior) and acquit or convict them based on whether they followed God's commands. Acquittal meant peace, rest and security in the Promised Land. Conviction meant removal from the Promised Land. Israel (past, present or future) was never to think that because God severely punished His people that this was to be interpreted as Him revoking, abolishing, changing, replacing or otherwise breaking His covenant.
There is a hope in the Book of Judges, but it is an implied hope. It is a hope for a better future after a long and catastrophic time of people doing what is right in their own eyes, and by definition, being out of the will of God by their own choice. The hope is for revival and regeneration; the hope is for God's people to awaken from their self-imposed delusions.
In Judges chapter three, we will read about the first three shophetim (judges). We will see how they are characterized as imperfect saviors but saviors nonetheless. We will see that even when followers of God go astray that the LORD not only leaves the door open for their return, but that God pursues them. The LORD so loves His people that He has pity on them even when they are in the midst of heinous trespasses against Him--even when they are behaving as a people without shame and reveling in their adulterous affairs with other gods.
THE FIRST THREE JUDGES
A. The pagan nations remaining in the territory of Israel
1. (Judges 3:1-2) Why God allowed these nations to continue in Israel's territory
Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them (that is, all who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan; only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it formerly).
These are the nations which the LORD left: The current generation of the 12 tribes of Israel did not know the Holy War fought by their fathers and grandfathers in order to settle the Land of Canaan. Thus, they possessed an indifferent and naive attitude about how they arrived at their relatively peaceful and easy current situation.
To be fair, Joshua and his generation also went through a learning process. They listened and obeyed God. In doing so, Jericho literally fell into their hands. But then almost immediately, they decided to go to war against the residents of Ai according to their own strategies and were soundly defeated. After their loss, they realized their error, repented and then under the LORD'S leadership, they again attacked Ai. This time, the Israelites won.
This new generation of Hebrews in Canaan were the beneficiaries of their parents' sacrifices and ought to have taken advantage of the hard lessons of history learned by their parents, they did what almost all new generations do--they feel that the things of the past have no relevance to them. Therefore, the LORD was going to force them to experience war in order to learn how a Holy War was to be fought. Lesson number one was that the LORD only aids Israel when they are obedient and devoted to Him.
Today, in Israel, as during the time of the Judges, this new generation does not realize they are fighting a Holy War. They see little if any relevance to their ancient heritage as connected with current times. They only see their struggles with the Palestinians and myriad of terrorist groups as a series of battles and tests of will, fought in a modern world within a framework of global power agendas, with each battle having its own reason and outcome.
The modern Israeli government and people cannot seem to grasp that just as it was after Joshua's death, there remains a divine purpose for Israel to possess Canaan. There will be never-ending struggles for national and tribal dominance that will continue among men until Messiah returns and puts an end to it.
Holy War
Holy War is unlike any other kind of war. True Holy War is NOT declared by men; it is ordained by God. There has been, and always will be, only ONE Holy War. Holy War is not fought under a veneer of religious fervor; the outcome is not decided by the strongest and best armed. For example, Islamic Jihad is NOT Holy War. It is merely another of many religious and cultural wars mankind records in history. Holy War is a God-initiated, God-led battle that has not only divine purpose, but it must be fought according to well-defined divine rules and principles. The outcome is not the issue because it has been decided by God since eternity past. Rather, it is the PROCESS that is important. It is the experience we gain as God's Holy Warriors whereby we learn who God is that matters.
The LORD'S Holy War rules do not look much like the humanitarian philosophies that Israel operates until today in dealing with their ongoing fight for survival. Holy War does not involve peace treaties, prisoner swaps or attempting to minimize damage to enemy cities. Rather, it involves the identification of evil and then its total eradication of those who embrace it. It is not completed through diplomacy but through destruction. Holy War does not end at a treaty table. It ends when God's people join Him in total obedience, and evil exists no more.
Only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel be taught war: Verse 2 states something that applies to all who call upon the name of the LORD, Jew or Gentile, past or future generation. The LORD will see to it that we, His followers, His earthly army, are FORCED to learn the art of war. When I say war, I mean spiritual warfare--war that even though it begins with prayer, it most definitely involves physical acts, willful decisions, hard work and personal sacrifice.
As Believers of God, our lives are actually played out in the heavenliness even though it is largely invisible to us. To us, it seems only to only a physical earthly struggle. It is the LORD'S will that every single one who makes the choice to serve God will be drafted into His army. You WILL face battle; you WILL experience war. Each soldier is destined for the front lines. There are no cooks or orderlies to whom God assigns comfortable jobs that keep them far away from the conflict. There are only those who accept that they are in a state of war. They are God's Holy warriors; they are to put on the full armor of God. Those who deny it shrink away in fear and defeat.
As Believers, we are destined for warfare as much as we are destined for heaven. The two go hand in hand. Holy War is our job. God has created us, saved us and separated us away from those marked for destruction. The only question is will you allow yourself to be trained and used effectively? Will you don your battle gear? Will you follow orders and face the enemy? Will you refuse to serve God and hide thinking you can avoid the danger?
Israel, during the time of the Judges, generally chose to avoid danger. They figured they could comprise and make peace instead of continuing the war. The consequence was that God told Israel that they can try as they may to make peace, but He will cause their peace to fail. God has nearly an endless supply of people (such as the Canaanites) to harass Israel, and He does not hesitate to use them.
2. (Judges 3:3-4) The pagan nations are specifically listed
These nations are: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. They were for testing Israel, to find out of they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses.
The five lords of the Philistines: The five lords of the Philistines refer to the five Philistine kings who ruled over the five city-states located along the Mediterranean coast.
The Canaanites: There were the Canaanites who were the direct descendants of Canaan. There were also less distinct groups of people who lived in the land of Canaan and were given the general title "Canaanite".
Sidonians: These were the inhabitants of the city-state of Sidon, a great and powerful people who resided along the northern coast.
The Hivites: These people lived in the Northern hill country of Canaan.
What we get a picture of is that these pagan nations were ordained by God to stay in the land. They dotted the Land of Canaan from north to south and east to west. There would be no Israelite tribe and no clan of any tribe that would not be contending with one of these gentile nations sooner or later.
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