Israel's Failure to Conquer

In the book of Joshua, we see part of the fulfillment of the promise that the Lord had made to the Israelites in Genesis 12:27. With Joshua as the head of the Lord's army, they defeated and took possession of most of the Promised Land, that is Canaan. Yet, the book ends with the fullness of the promise not being achieved in the life of Joshua. However, after being commanded by the Lord he allotted all of the land to the 12 tribes of Israel—even the occupied ones. As he states:

Joshua 23:5 ESV

The LORD your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, just as the LORD your God promised you.

Later on in the book of Judges, we see many of the tribe of Judah failing to completing the conquests of the land allotted to them, as detailed in Judges 1:27-36. What happened?

A notable example was Judah failing in driving out the Canaanites because they had chariots of iron.

Judges 1:19 ESV

And the LORD was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country, but he could not drive out the inhabitants of the plain because they had chariots of iron.

Image credit: Armstrong Institute of Biblical...

We know that the Lord was with them, so what could have stopped them? I believe it is most likely fear. Chariots of iron were not only advanced and intimidating but also a powerful display of wealth and dominance. The use of rare, precious metals symbolized the might and affluence of the Canaanite elite, projecting an overwhelming image of invincibility. The hearts of the Israelites did not fully trust in the promise of the Lord and where overcome with doubt.
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Doubt caused the promise to not be completed by them, although the Lord was with them. We see an example of the conditionality of the promises of God displayed here. Blessings can be delayed by a lack of faith and obedience, emphasizing how our trust in God influences the fulfillment of His promises.

The example of Gideon

The story of Gideon is a testimony to the patience of God. Gideon could be labeled as insecure and an individual in constant need of reassurance. In fact, when the Lord called Gideon to deliver His people, he was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites, a clear reflection of his fear of being discovered. We then see him repeatedly asking the Lord for signs as confirmation of promises He had already given him.

Judges 6:36-40 ESV

Then Gideon said to God, If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said. And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. Then Gideon said to God, Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.

The Lord already knew Gideon’s potential. Indeed, He called him a mighty man of valor and told him, "Go in this might of [yours] and save Israel". By the Lord's power, Gideon did end up driving out the Midianite army of 135,000 men with only 300 men—a remarkable feat.

Image credit: Gospel Images

Looking back, Moses had a speech impediment and did not think he was fit for the role, yet God ordered him to confront Pharaoh. David was a teenage shepherd when he defeated Goliath and ended up becoming king. There is a pattern of God calling us to tasks that align with the potential He has placed within us, asking what He knows we are capable of, even when we doubt ourselves.

Gideon seems to understand this and grow in faith in the later chapters as he speaks with confidence and complete trust in the fulfillment of God's plan. He, indeed condemns the tongues of those who doubt in the promises of the God of Israel.

Judges 8:5-7 ESV

So he said to the men of Succoth, Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian. And the officials of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your army? So Gideon said, Well then, when the LORD has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will flail your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.

This passage highlights Gideon’s confidence in God’s promise to deliver the Midianite kings into his hand, despite the doubt and lack of support from the men of Succoth. It underscores his transformation into a leader fully trusting in the Lord's word and willing to rebuke disbelief.

Insights

• Anyone can be called to do great deeds. Just because we do not see our full inner potential does not mean our Maker, the Lord, doesn’t see it. He calls us to what He knows we are capable of.

• When it comes to fulfilling your purpose, fear is your flesh resisting God—cast it away.

• Let us then walk and speak with certainty of the promises the Lord God has made to us—through the Scriptures and personal revelations—holding steadfast to them, and acting in a manner fitting their coming.

• Do not be afraid to share those revelations, for faith is defined as follows.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with us all. Amen.