Judges 3:1-6

Nations Left to Test Israel

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1These are the nations that the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan,

2if only to teach warfare to the subsequent generations of Israel, especially to those who had not known it formerly:

3the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath.

4These nations were left to test the Israelites, to find out whether they would keep the commandments of the LORD, which He had given their fathers through Moses.

5Thus the Israelites continued to live among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

6And they took the daughters of these people in marriage, gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

The nations left in the land have a place in God's dealings with Israel. The passage gives two purposes: later generations will learn warfare, and Israel will be tested to see whether it keeps the commands the LORD gave through Moses. These are related parts of the story, but they are not the same thing.

The remaining peoples include the Philistines, Canaanites, Sidonians, and Hivites. Israel lives among the peoples of the land, gives daughters in marriage to their sons, and takes their daughters as wives. The account ends with the result that matters most: Israel serves their gods.

The test concerns allegiance to the LORD. Living in the land does not by itself make Israel faithful. The choices made in homes and marriages become part of the nation's turning away from God. The trouble is not that other people have a different ancestry; it is that Israel joins in worshiping other gods instead of obeying the LORD.

Questions

1 What two purposes does the passage give for leaving nations in the land?

AnswerLater generations will learn warfare, and Israel will be tested to see whether it obeys the LORD’s commands through Moses.

2 What connections develop between Israel and the surrounding peoples?

AnswerThey live among one another and intermarry, giving sons and daughters in marriage across those households.

3 What does Israel do at the end of the passage?

AnswerIsrael serves the gods of those peoples. The test of obedience exposes a change in worship and allegiance.

4 How can we care about others without following every influence around us?

AnswerWe can be kind and respectful while refusing dishonesty or cruelty that others approve. Friendship does not require giving up obedience to God.

What This Means for Us

The people closest to us influence what we consider normal. Talk about the habits, conversations, and entertainment that shape the family's choices. We are called to love our neighbors, including those who do not share our faith. That love can coexist with a clear commitment to worship and obey the LORD.

Prayer

Lord, keep our hearts faithful to You among the many voices we hear. Help us love our neighbors and recognize the influences that draw us away from Your word. Amen.

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