Judges 3:4

And they were left, that He might test Israel by them, to know whether they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.

Judges 3:4

Judges starts with Joshua’s death as Israel continues to conquer the promised land. However, the nation did not completely obey God and did not drive out the inhabitants. Then the following generation forsook God and did evil in His sight (Judges 2:11-12). As a result, God would no longer drive the inhabitants out on their behalf, and He let the nations remain in order to test Israel (Judges 2:32, 3:4). 

The children of Israel failed this test and fell into the hands of Mesopotamia for eight years (v8). God left Israel with a choice. They could return to obedience and enter into God’s blessing, but instead they chose disobedience and were allowed to suffer the consequences. We need to remember that God is going to allow us to face temptation as a test. He is not going to tempt us directly, but He will allow us to encounter circumstances with spiritual choices that matter, where the wrong choice can lead to earthly consequences. 

Lord, may we walk circumspectly with wisdom (Eph 5:15), and when we are faced with temptation, may we choose according to Your will in humble obedience.

Pastor Jeff Mericle