These are the nations that the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan, These are the nationsThis phrase introduces a list of specific groups that remained in the land of Canaan. The Hebrew word for "nations" is "goyim," which often refers to non-Israelite peoples. Historically, these nations were remnants of the original inhabitants of Canaan, such as the Philistines, Canaanites, Sidonians, and Hivites. Their presence served as a constant reminder of Israel's incomplete conquest and the ongoing struggle between following God's commands and succumbing to the surrounding pagan influences. the LORD left
The Hebrew name for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and faithfulness. The phrase "left" indicates a deliberate action by God. It suggests that God, in His wisdom, allowed these nations to remain for a purpose. This divine decision underscores the theme of God's providence and His use of circumstances to fulfill His greater plan for His people. to test
The Hebrew word for "test" is "nasah," which means to try, prove, or put to the test. This testing was not for God's benefit, as He is omniscient, but for the Israelites' growth and refinement. It was a means to reveal their faithfulness and obedience to God's commandments. This concept of testing is a recurring theme in Scripture, where trials are used to strengthen character and deepen reliance on God. all the Israelites
This phrase encompasses the entire nation of Israel, indicating that the test was not limited to a specific tribe or group but was a collective experience. It highlights the unity and shared responsibility of the Israelites in maintaining their covenant relationship with God. Historically, this period was marked by a cycle of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, reflecting the communal nature of their spiritual journey. who had not known any of the wars in Canaan
This refers to a new generation of Israelites who had not experienced the initial conquest of Canaan under Joshua. The Hebrew word for "known" is "yada," which implies experiential knowledge. This lack of firsthand experience in warfare meant that they had not witnessed God's miraculous interventions in battle. The presence of these nations served as an opportunity for this generation to learn reliance on God and to develop their own faith and courage in the face of adversity. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, who orchestrates events for His purposes, including testing His people. 2. The IsraelitesThe descendants of Jacob, God's chosen people, who are being tested in their faithfulness and obedience. 3. CanaanThe Promised Land, which the Israelites were commanded to conquer and inhabit, but where they faced ongoing challenges from remaining nations. 4. Nations Left by the LORDThese are the groups that God allowed to remain in Canaan to test Israel's faith and obedience. 5. TestingA divine purpose to reveal the Israelites' faithfulness and to teach them warfare, as they had not experienced the previous battles. Teaching Points Purpose of TestingGod uses tests to reveal the true nature of our faith and to strengthen our reliance on Him. Learning from HistoryThe Israelites' experiences remind us to learn from past mistakes and to trust in God's guidance and provision. Spiritual WarfareJust as the Israelites were to learn warfare, Christians are called to be prepared for spiritual battles through prayer and the Word of God. Obedience and FaithfulnessThe presence of challenges in our lives can be opportunities to demonstrate our obedience and faithfulness to God. God's SovereigntyRecognize that God is in control, even when He allows difficulties, and trust that His purposes are for our ultimate good. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn about God's character from His decision to leave certain nations in Canaan? 2. How does the concept of testing in Judges 3:1 relate to the trials we face in our own lives today? 3. In what ways can we prepare ourselves for spiritual warfare, as the Israelites were to learn physical warfare? 4. How can we ensure that we are learning from the past mistakes of others, as the Israelites were meant to learn from their ancestors? 5. What are some practical steps we can take to remain obedient and faithful to God during times of testing? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 8:2This verse speaks about God testing the Israelites in the wilderness to know what was in their hearts, similar to the testing in Judges 3:1. Exodus 23:29-30God explains that He will not drive out the nations all at once, but little by little, to prevent the land from becoming desolate. James 1:2-4This passage discusses the testing of faith producing perseverance, which aligns with the purpose of the tests in Judges. 1 Peter 1:6-7These verses talk about trials proving the genuineness of faith, similar to the testing of the Israelites. Hebrews 12:5-11This passage discusses God's discipline as a form of testing and training, which is relevant to the testing of Israel. People Amalek, Amalekites, Ammonites, Amorites, Anath, Aram, Canaanites, Chushanrishathaim, Chushan-rishathaim, Eglon, Ehud, Gera, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Israelites, Jebusites, Kenaz, Moabites, Othniel, Perizzites, Shamgar, Sidonians, ZidoniansPlaces Canaan, Gilgal, Jordan River, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Mesopotamia, Moab, Mount Baal-hermon, SeirahTopics Canaan, Experience, Experienced, Israelites, Kept, Nations, Prove, Purpose, Test, Testing, Try, War, WarsDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 3:1-2 5887 inexperience Judges 3:1-3 5208 armies Judges 3:1-4 5473 proof, through testing Library Use what You Have
Few people really are and do their best. Nature has blessed a few with great talents and abilities. These persons often become proud, self-centered, and feel themselves to be superior, and for that reason many times they fail to make the proper use of their abilities. How often are they used in a bad or foolish way, so that what might be a blessing to the world fails to be such! There are many others who realize they do not possess these natural gifts. They look upon those who have them, and envy …
Charles Wesley Naylor—Heart TalksGifts and Talents.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."--Judges iii. 10. We now consider the Holy Spirit's work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit. The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will furnish Moses …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Whether Baptism Should Take Away the Penalties of Sin that Belong to this Life?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism should take away the penalties of sin that belong to this life. For as the Apostle says (Rom. 5:15), the gift of Christ is farther-reaching than the sin of Adam. But through Adam's sin, as the Apostle says (Rom. 5:12), "death entered into this world," and, consequently, all the other penalties of the present life. Much more, therefore, should man be freed from the penalties of the present life, by the gift of Christ which is received in Baptism. Objection 2: Further, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica "This Then is the Message which we have Heard of Him, and Declare unto You, that God is Light,"
1 John i. 5.--"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light," &c. The great design of the gospel is to make up the breach of man's joy, and open up the way to the fulness of it, and therefore it is the good news and glad tidings of great joy, the only best message that ever came to the world. Now it shows unto us the channel that this river of gladness and joy runs into, it discovers what is the way of the conveyance of it to the soul, and what are …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Whether the Old Law Enjoined Fitting Precepts Concerning Rulers?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law made unfitting precepts concerning rulers. Because, as the Philosopher says (Polit. iii, 4), "the ordering of the people depends mostly on the chief ruler." But the Law contains no precept relating to the institution of the chief ruler; and yet we find therein prescriptions concerning the inferior rulers: firstly (Ex. 18:21): "Provide out of all the people wise [Vulg.: 'able'] men," etc.; again (Num. 11:16): "Gather unto Me seventy men of the ancients of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica 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 Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Doctrine of Angels.
I. THEIR EXISTENCE. 1. THE TEACHING OF JESUS. 2. THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES. II. THEIR NATURE. 1. CREATED BEINGS. 2. SPIRITUAL BEINGS. 3. GREAT POWER AND MIGHT. 4. VARIOUS GRADES. 5. THE NUMBER OF ANGELS. III. THE FALL OF ANGELS. 1. TIME AND CAUSE. 2. THE WORK OF FALLEN ANGELS. 3. THE JUDGMENT OF FALLEN ANGELS. IV. THE WORK OF ANGELS. 1. THEIR HEAVENLY MINISTRY. 2. THEIR EARTHLY MINISTRY. a) In Relation to the Believer. b) In Relation to Christ's Second Coming. THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS. We are not …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible 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 3:1 NIVJudges 3:1 NLTJudges 3:1 ESVJudges 3:1 NASBJudges 3:1 KJV
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