Judges 3:4 - They were left to test Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to Yahweh’s commandments, which he commanded their fathers by Moses.
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What does "Judges 3:4" mean?
Judges 3:4, "They were left to test Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to Yahweh’s commandments, which he commanded their fathers by Moses," refers to the remnant of the nations that the Israelites failed to completely drive out of Canaan after conquering the land. This verse explains why those nations were allowed to remain. It's a crucial point for understanding the Book of Judges. Here's a breakdown:
"They were left...": This refers to the nations described in Judges 3:1-3, the remnants of Canaanite, Hittite, Amorite, Perizzite, Hivite, and Jebusite peoples. These nations were not accidentally left; their presence had a purpose.
"...to test Israel by them...": The key here is the idea of testing. God deliberately allowed these nations to remain as a means of testing Israel's obedience. It was a probationary period.
"...to know whether they would listen to Yahweh's commandments...": This clarifies what Israel was being tested on. The test was whether the Israelites would obey God's commands, specifically. Would they remain separate from these other cultures, avoid their religious practices, and follow God's laws? The implication is that complete obedience would mean successfully and consistently pushing out the remaining Canaanites.
"...which he commanded their fathers by Moses.": This connects the current situation to the Mosaic covenant. The commandments are not new or arbitrary; they are the same laws that God gave to their ancestors through Moses. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining the covenant relationship established at Sinai.
In summary, the verse means:
God intentionally allowed some of the original inhabitants of Canaan to remain in the land, not due to a lack of power, but as a test for the Israelites. This test was designed to reveal whether they would faithfully obey the laws and commandments that God had given to their forefathers through Moses. The presence of these foreign nations served as a constant temptation and a tangible measure of Israel's faithfulness. If they remained separate and obedient, they would pass the test. If they intermarried and adopted foreign gods and practices, they would fail.
Significance:
This verse highlights a major theme in the Book of Judges: the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The presence of the foreign nations provided the opportunity for Israel to either remain faithful or to fall into idolatry and disobedience. The subsequent stories in Judges show how Israel repeatedly failed this test, leading to cycles of oppression and eventual cries for deliverance. It also underscores God's sovereignty and his use of circumstances, even those seemingly negative, to reveal the true condition of his people's hearts. The verse sets the stage for the judges who will rise and fall, depending on Israel's faithfulness.
Judges 3:4 - They were left to test Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to Yahweh’s commandments, which he commanded their fathers by Moses.
What does "Judges 3:4" mean?
Judges 3:4, "They were left to test Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to Yahweh’s commandments, which he commanded their fathers by Moses," refers to the remnant of the nations that the Israelites failed to completely drive out of Canaan after conquering the land. This verse explains why those nations were allowed to remain. It's a crucial point for understanding the Book of Judges. Here's a breakdown:
"They were left...": This refers to the nations described in Judges 3:1-3, the remnants of Canaanite, Hittite, Amorite, Perizzite, Hivite, and Jebusite peoples. These nations were not accidentally left; their presence had a purpose.
"...to test Israel by them...": The key here is the idea of testing. God deliberately allowed these nations to remain as a means of testing Israel's obedience. It was a probationary period.
"...to know whether they would listen to Yahweh's commandments...": This clarifies what Israel was being tested on. The test was whether the Israelites would obey God's commands, specifically. Would they remain separate from these other cultures, avoid their religious practices, and follow God's laws? The implication is that complete obedience would mean successfully and consistently pushing out the remaining Canaanites.
"...which he commanded their fathers by Moses.": This connects the current situation to the Mosaic covenant. The commandments are not new or arbitrary; they are the same laws that God gave to their ancestors through Moses. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining the covenant relationship established at Sinai.
In summary, the verse means:
God intentionally allowed some of the original inhabitants of Canaan to remain in the land, not due to a lack of power, but as a test for the Israelites. This test was designed to reveal whether they would faithfully obey the laws and commandments that God had given to their forefathers through Moses. The presence of these foreign nations served as a constant temptation and a tangible measure of Israel's faithfulness. If they remained separate and obedient, they would pass the test. If they intermarried and adopted foreign gods and practices, they would fail.
Significance:
This verse highlights a major theme in the Book of Judges: the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The presence of the foreign nations provided the opportunity for Israel to either remain faithful or to fall into idolatry and disobedience. The subsequent stories in Judges show how Israel repeatedly failed this test, leading to cycles of oppression and eventual cries for deliverance. It also underscores God's sovereignty and his use of circumstances, even those seemingly negative, to reveal the true condition of his people's hearts. The verse sets the stage for the judges who will rise and fall, depending on Israel's faithfulness.