Ephraim also failed to drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer; so the Canaanites continued to dwell among them in Gezer. EphraimThe tribe of Ephraim, one of the prominent tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's son Ephraim. This tribe held a significant position in the northern kingdom of Israel. The name "Ephraim" itself means "fruitful," reflecting the tribe's expected role in the Promised Land. However, their failure here marks a contrast to their potential, reminding us of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. failed to drive out
The Hebrew root for "failed" here implies a lack of completion or success. This phrase highlights a recurring theme in Judges: the Israelites' incomplete obedience. The failure to fully obey God's command to drive out the inhabitants of the land led to spiritual and cultural compromise. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of partial obedience and the importance of fully trusting in God's power to overcome obstacles. the Canaanites
The Canaanites were the original inhabitants of the land promised to the Israelites. They were known for their idolatrous practices and moral corruption, which God had commanded Israel to avoid. The presence of the Canaanites among the Israelites became a source of temptation and led to the Israelites adopting pagan practices, illustrating the dangers of allowing ungodly influences to persist in one's life. living in Gezer
Gezer was a significant Canaanite city located in the Shephelah, a region of lowlands in ancient Israel. Archaeological excavations have uncovered evidence of Canaanite and later Israelite occupation, confirming the biblical narrative. The city's strategic location made it a valuable asset, yet Ephraim's inability to secure it reflects a missed opportunity to establish a stronghold for God's people. so the Canaanites continued to dwell among them
This phrase underscores the long-term consequences of Ephraim's failure. The continued presence of the Canaanites among the Israelites led to cultural assimilation and spiritual decline. It serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual vigilance and the need to remove influences that can lead us away from God's path. in Gezer
The repetition of "Gezer" emphasizes the specific location of this failure. It acts as a geographical marker of disobedience, reminding us that our spiritual battles often have tangible, real-world implications. The mention of Gezer calls believers to reflect on the "Gezers" in their own lives—areas where compromise has been allowed to persist—and to seek God's strength to overcome them. Persons / Places / Events 1. EphraimOne of the tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's son Ephraim. Known for its significant role in the history of Israel, Ephraim was expected to drive out the Canaanites from their allotted territory. 2. CanaanitesThe original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, known for their idolatrous practices and opposition to the Israelites. They were to be driven out by the Israelites as commanded by God. 3. GezerA significant Canaanite city located in the territory allotted to the tribe of Ephraim. It was strategically important and should have been fully conquered by the Israelites. 4. The Conquest of CanaanThe broader context of this verse is the period of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, where the tribes were tasked with taking possession of the land God had promised them. 5. Incomplete ObedienceThe event highlights the failure of the Israelites, specifically the tribe of Ephraim, to fully obey God's command to drive out the inhabitants of the land. Teaching Points The Importance of Complete ObediencePartial obedience is disobedience. The failure of Ephraim to drive out the Canaanites led to future spiritual and moral compromise. Consequences of CompromiseAllowing sin to remain in our lives can lead to greater spiritual struggles. Just as the Canaanites became a snare to Israel, unchecked sin can entangle us. Trusting in God's CommandsGod's commands are for our good. Trusting and following them fully leads to blessings and fulfillment of His promises. The Influence of CultureThe Israelites were influenced by the Canaanite culture because they did not remove them. We must be vigilant about the cultural influences that can lead us away from God. Spiritual WarfareJust as the Israelites were in a physical battle, we are in a spiritual battle. We must be diligent in removing anything that hinders our relationship with God. Bible Study Questions 1. What were the consequences for Ephraim's failure to drive out the Canaanites, and how can this apply to areas of compromise in our own lives? 2. How does the account of Ephraim and the Canaanites in Gezer relate to the broader theme of obedience in the Bible? 3. In what ways can cultural influences today be similar to the Canaanite influence on the Israelites, and how can we guard against them? 4. How does the command to drive out the Canaanites reflect God's desire for holiness among His people, and how can we pursue holiness in our daily lives? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of partial obedience. What did you learn, and how can you apply that lesson to your current walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 16:10This verse also mentions the failure of the Ephraimites to drive out the Canaanites from Gezer, showing a continuity of disobedience from the time of Joshua. Exodus 23:31-33God’s command to the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of the land to avoid being led into sin by their practices. Judges 2:1-3The Angel of the Lord rebukes Israel for not obeying God's command to drive out the inhabitants, leading to their future troubles. People Abednego, Achsah, Adonibezek, Ahiman, Amalekites, Amorites, Anak, Anath, Arad, Arba, Asher, Asherites, Benjamin, Benjamites, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Danites, Debir, Edomites, Hittites, Hobab, Israelites, Jebusites, Joseph, Joshua, Kenaz, Manasseh, Naphtali, Naphtalites, Othniel, Perizzites, Rehob, Sheshai, Simeon, Simeonites, Talmai, Zebulun, ZidonPlaces Acco, Achzib, Ahlab, Aijalon, Akrabbim, Aphik, Arad, Ashkelon, Beth-anath, Bethel, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Bezek, Debir, Dor, Ekron, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeah, Hebron, Helbah, Hormah, Ibleam, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arba, Kiriath-sepher, Kitron, Luz, Megiddo, Mount Heres, Nahalol, Negeb, Rehob, Sela, Shaalbim, Sidon, Taanach, ZephathTopics Canaanite, Canaanites, Continued, Didn't, Dispossessed, Drive, Drove, Dwelleth, Dwelling, Dwelt, Ephraim, E'phraim, Expel, Gezer, MidstDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:27-35 7259 promised land, later history Judges 1:29-30 7266 tribes of Israel Library The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleThe Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Tsippor
"Tsippor is the greatest city of Galilee, and built in a very strong place." "Kitron (Judg 1:29,30) is Tsippor: and why is it called Tsippor? Because it is seated upon a mountain as Tsippor, a bird." "Sixteen miles on all sides from Tsippor was a land flowing with milk and honey." This city is noted in Josephus for its warlike affairs; but most noted in the Talmudists for the university fixed there, and for the learning, which Rabbi Judah the Holy brought hither, as we have said before. He sat in …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
ISRAEL'S VICTORIES OVER THE CANAANITES.--Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible II,1-4.1. Prin. of Politics X. That the leaders took the lead in Israel, That the people volunteered readily, Bless Jehovah! Zebulun was a people who exposed themselves to deadly peril, And Naphtali on the heights of the open field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. Prom heaven fought the stars, From their …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: Advent of the Hebrews] Modern discovery and research have demonstrated that the truth revealed through the Babylonians and with less definiteness through the people of the Nile was never entirely lost. Such a sad waste was out of accord with the obvious principles of divine economy. As the icy chill of ceremonialism seized decadent Babylonia and Egypt, there emerged from the steppes south and east of Palestine a virile, ambitious group of nomads, who not only fell heir to that which …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee.
The bonds of Galilee were, "on the south, Samaris and Scythopolis, unto the flood of Jordan." Scythopolis is the same with Beth-shean, of which is no seldom mention in the Holy Scriptures, Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27; 1 Samuel 31:10. "Bethsaine (saith Josephus), called by the Greeks Scythopolis." It was distant but a little way from Jordan, seated in the entrance to a great valley: for so the same author writes, "Having passed Jordan, they came to a great plain, where lies before you the city Bethsane," …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica 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 Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life 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 1:29 NIVJudges 1:29 NLTJudges 1:29 ESVJudges 1:29 NASBJudges 1:29 KJV
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