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I. IT WAS GOD'S OWN THOUGHT TO PUT THEM TO THE PROOF.

1. Far otherwise were the thoughts of the nations.

(1)  When Israel was strong their thoughts were of alliances.

(2)  When Israel became weak their thoughts were of conquest and revenge.

2. The nations could do nothing without God's permission.

3. This proving of character was done out of respect to His covenant.

(1)  God acted by principle and not by temporary impulse.

(2)  He acted according to His established manner of dealing with His people's sins.

(3)  Provision made for this through the intervention of the coming Messiah, the real Mediator of the covenant.

4. God puts His people under discipline to serve wise and holy ends.

(1)  Nor real injury is ever intended.

(2)  Never is the rod without some gracious instruction: "Hear ye the rod, and Him who appointeth it."

5. God Himself determines the time, manner, and severity of the trial.

II. IT WAS NECESSARY TO PUT ISRAEL TO THE PROOF.

1. Their allegiance to their God must be ascertained.

(1)  God's jealousy required it.

(2)  Without allegiance the people were not in a fit state to receive Divine blessings.

(3)  Ways and means were easy where there was allegiance.

2. Human protestations of obedience are little to be trusted.

III. THIS TESTING OF CHARACTER WAS MADE IN LOVE, NOT IN ANGER.

1. All God's dealings with His covenant people are necessarily in love. This is the very spirit of His covenant: "Your God" — "God is for you" — always on your side.

2. It was love to prevent a breach of the covenant.

3. It was love to teach the heart the bitterness of sin.

4. It is love to teach self-knowledge and humility.

5. It is love where a false character exists to have the discovery of it made known in good time.

IV. OBEDIENCE IS WITH GOD THE ALL-IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT.

1. Obedience is the index which shows that the heart is right with God.

2. Obedience springs naturally from the fear and the love of God.

3. In the gospel obedience must spring from love.

4. Obedience in the gospel is the obedience of children.

5. Obedience must be shown in the face of opposition.

(J. P. Millar.)

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KJV: Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

WEB: Now these are the nations which Yahweh left, to prove Israel by them, even as many [of Israel] as had not known all the wars of Canaan;