Today’s devotion comes from Judges 1:27 through Judges 2:5. Here is a link to Judges chapter 1 to cover the verses at the end of the chapter that I have not quoted herein – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%201&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“But Manasseh did not take possession of Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; so the Canaanites persisted in living in that land. It came about when Israel became strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely.
Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who were living in Gezer; so the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them.
Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, or the inhabitants of Nahalol; so the Canaanites lived among them and became subject to forced labor.
Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco, or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, or of Achzib, or of Helbah, or of Aphik, or of Rehob. So the Asherites lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; for they did not drive them out.
…
Now the angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land which I have sworn to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you, and as for you, you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed Me; what is this you have done? Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.’” When the angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people lifted up their voices and wept. So they named that place Bochim; and there they sacrificed to the LORD.” Judges 1:27-32 and Judges 2:1-5.
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As stated in the prior devotion, there is a similar thread to this Scripture and the preceding Scripture (Joshua 1:16-26) such that I first intended on combining them into one devotion. The similar thread in both Scriptures is that Israel did not completely drive out the aliens.
But, there is an important difference. The difference between the two Scriptures is that the LORD did not condemn nor punish Israel for Israel not completely driving out the aliens in the prior Scripture (Joshua 1:16-26). But, the LORD did condemn and punish Israel for Israel not completely driving out the aliens in today’s Scripture.
The lesson from the prior Scripture (Joshua 1:16-26) as detailed in the prior devotion is that the LORD provides for aliens.
The lesson from today’s Scripture is that we need to be very careful to not let the customs and practices of other people lead us astray from fully obeying and clinging to the LORD. “… they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.’” Verse 3.
“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And I will welcome you.
“And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
But, there is hope!
“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 7:6.
“Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.” Leviticus 20:26.
“But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself;
The LORD hears when I call to Him.” Psalm 4:3.
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” 1 Peter 2:9.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 