Partial Success in Southern Canaan

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Victory

After Joshua’s death Israel presses forward to exterminate the Canaanites who are still holding on to their strongholds in the land. The tribes of Judah and Simeon merged their forces to carry out a series of attacks on the Canaanites in the hill country south of Jerusalem (vv. 1-5). They captured the town of Bezek (thought to be about seventeen miles north of Shechem) and punished the king by cutting off his thumbs and toes (vv. 6-7). They attacked Jerusalem, captured it, killed everyone who lived there, burned it to the ground (v. 8) and then on to defeat the Canaanite (vv. 9-11).

The term Canaanites usually designates all the inhabitants of the land at the time of the Israelite invasion. Sometimes a distinction is made between the Canaanites and the Amorites. The Canaanites occupied the valleys and the Amorites dwelt in the mountains.

We find that both Caleb and Othniel rose to positions of prominence in this truly classless society (vv. 12-15). It is not for sure whether Othniel was the nephew or the younger brother of Caleb. Caleb who by now was an old man, had shown real bravery in the capture of Hebron and now it was Othniel’s turn. Othniel’s success was rewarded by his marriage to Achsah and the city of Teebir appears to have been given to them as an inheritance. Judah had this series of victories for one reason only and that was the fact that the Lord delivered her enemies into her hand (vv. 16-20). We should always remember that our only help is in the Lord.

Application

Caleb showed real bravery as he marched out to conquer the land the Lord promised to give to the Israelites. When I am fearful it is usually because I am concerned about what man may think about me or do to me. What are some areas of life where I tend to be fearful when the Lord wants to give me victory? I need to pray and ask the Lord to help me to have victory in these areas.

Judges 1:1-20 (English Standard Version)


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