“GIVE WAR A CHANCE”
( Judges 1:1-2:5; 2:11-3:31)
“Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of… Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of… Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of… Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of… – (Judges 1:27, 30, 31, and 33).
The Book of Joshua portrays an initial picture of a swift and decisive conquest of Canaan by the Israelites. However, a fuller picture emerges as the biblical account progresses into the Book of Judges. Here, it becomes evident that the conquest was far from complete. The catalog of tribes within Judges highlights the failure of several tribes to fully expel the indigenous inhabitants from their allocated territories. This incomplete expulsion allowed the Canaanite population and their deities to remain, fostering a persistent source of conflict and tension for the Israelites in what we might call a Canaanite “resistance.”
This historical account mirrors contemporary conflicts where interventions by the international community, while intended to establish peace, often result in agreements that fail to address the root causes of the conflict. These unresolved issues continue to fester, leading to future outbreaks of violence. This illustrates a critical point: while war is undoubtedly brutal and destructive, it can paradoxically offer a more permanent resolution when allowed to reach its natural conclusion.
The incomplete conquest of Canaan serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of leaving a mission incomplete. The Israelites’ failure to fully drive out the Canaanites led to centuries of conflict and instability. Similarly, in modern times, the failure to address the root causes of a conflict can lead to a cycle of violence that can last for generations. While the concept of allowing a war to reach its conclusion may be controversial, it underscores the importance of achieving a genuine and lasting peace, rather than a superficial and temporary ceasefire. Give war a chance!
Application:
Sometimes we allow things to remain in our lives that God wants us to drive out.
Reflections:
Can you think of some things or people that you have “made peace with” that have resulted in ongoing struggle or conflict? What can you do to change the narrative?
Closing Prayer:
Dear Lord, We understand that an incomplete conquest only results in continued conflict. Please grant us the wisdom to recognize that true resolution can only be achieved by identifying and addressing the true sources of our struggles. Guide us towards lasting peace, even if it requires us to make difficult and uncomfortable choices.
Jesus, we know that we are in a spiritual battle, and we trust that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet.” Please grant us the wisdom and discernment we need to navigate our conflicts and lead us toward a peace that is genuine and lasting instead of superficial. In your name, Amen.
About our Author
Chris Rainey is a learning technologies manager, bi-vocational Christian minister, writer/poet, corporate trainer, and curriculum developer. Chris is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and is a graduate of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary with an M.Div in Christian Education and a BA in Bible from Evangel University. He is originally from Southern Illinois, but has now lived in Northern New Jersey for over 30 years. He enjoys reading, hiking, biking, swimming, watching Survivor, and the New York Mets. He resides with Marcia, his wife of over 40 years, and has three daughters and a grandson.
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