Failure to Drive Out the Nations

Recap:

Last week we opened with the story of the frog in the pot of water.

Israel didn’t abandon God all at once—they compromised slowly: tolerating Canaanites, flirting with idols, adopting bits of the culture.

Before long, they were enslaved.

Before long, they were enslaved.

Lesson: Small compromises lead to disaster, but God is faithful to raise up a Deliverer.

Book Overview:

Title: Named after the 12 judges between Joshua and Samuel.

Date: Events~1400–1050 B.C. Written or compiled originally by Samuel.

Theme: The downward spiral of Israel’s spiritual life into chaos and apostasy

Purpose: To show the consequences of apostasy and the need for a righteous king.

Judges 17:6 NKJV

6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Judges 21:25 NKJV

25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Ultimately pointing to Christ.

1. A Strong Start (vv. 1–10)

After Joshua’s death (v. 1), Israel rightly seeks the LORD’s guidance. This shows dependence.

God appoints Judah to lead: “I have given the land into his hand” (v. 2). Victory is promised before the battle.

Judah joins with Simeon (v. 3) → cooperation strengthens the people of God.

Judah defeats the Canaanites and Perizzites (v. 4), captures Jerusalem (v. 8), and Caleb drives out the sons of Anak (vv. 9–10).

Guzik: The first generation sought God, and He gave them victory.

Stone: These victories intentionally echo Joshua to show Judah carrying forward the legacy of conquest.

Lesson: Victory begins when God’s people seek Him and obey. Discussion: Why do we often pray after failure rather than before the battle?

2. Early Compromises (vv. 11–21)

Othniel conquers Debir (vv. 11–13) and Achsah boldly asks for blessing (vv. 14–15). → a positive moment.

Kenites settle with Judah (v. 16). Judah captures more territory (vv. 17–18).

But v. 19 is key: “The LORD was with Judah, but they could not drive out the people of the valley because they had iron chariots.”

Stone: Judah’s fear of technology undermined their faith.

Guzik: They looked at chariots instead of the LORD.

Benjamin fails to drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem (v. 21).

Lesson: Partial obedience is disobedience. What Israel failed to conquer, conquered them. Discussion: What are our “iron chariots” today that make obedience seem impossible?

3. Pragmatism Over Obedience (vv. 22–28)

House of Joseph attacks Bethel with God’s help (v. 22).

Instead of full obedience, they cut a deal with a man (vv. 23–25). He escapes, founds another Luz (v. 26).

This sets the stage for compromise: sin is not destroyed, only relocated.

Later, Israel grows stronger and puts Canaanites under tribute instead of driving them out (v. 28).

Stone: They imitated Egypt’s slavery system, forgetting their own deliverance.

Guzik: They chose profit over purity.

Lesson: Compromise often looks practical, but it plants seeds of destruction. Discussion: In what ways do we excuse compromise because it seems “useful” or “beneficial”?

4. Widespread Failure (vv. 29–36)

Ephraim fails at Gezer (v. 29). Zebulun fails at Kitron and Nahalol (v. 30).

Asher moves in among the Canaanites instead of driving them out (vv. 31–32).

Naphtali lives among idol-worshippers (v. 33).

Dan is pushed into the hills by the Amorites (vv. 34–36) — total reversal of conquest.

Guzik: The downward spiral is clear — from victories to compromises to outright defeat.

Stone: By the end, Israel is no longer conquering but being conquered.

Lesson: Sin tolerated becomes sin triumphant. Discussion: Where do we see this downward spiral in culture? In the church? In ourselves?

Summary Lessons from Chapter 1

God is faithful, Israel is fearful.

Partial obedience = disobedience.

Compromise looks small but spreads quickly.

What we refuse to conquer will one day conquer us.

Closing Charge

“Judges 1 begins with prayer and promise but ends with compromise and failure. The decline began with small steps: fear of iron chariots, tolerating enemies, profiting from tribute. Brothers and sisters, don’t settle for partial obedience. Don’t live by pragmatism. The sins we spare today will one day enslave us. But Christ has already won the greater victory. Tonight I charge you: Trust His promises, walk in full obedience, and refuse compromise — for obedience brings freedom, but compromise leads to defeat.”