Halfhearted or Wholehearted Obedience

O. T. #504  "Halfhearted or Wholehearted Obedience"
April 21, 2015
Judges 1-Part 3
At that time they failed ...  Judges 1:27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33

LET IT GLOW

There have been times that my heart was not in it. The task was like a chore, not a privilege. It was what God wanted me to do, but while I was obeying, it was half hearted obedience. This does not please God. Only wholehearted obedience pleases Him. Dare I say that half hearted obedience is not obedience, but it is sin? Some of the tribes of Israel did the same thing. Their names are written right here in this chapter. How sad it is for them and us.

The land was totally under Israelite control in Joshua's time and in accordance with God's promise. However, this chapter ends with the sad note of incomplete settlement of the land by the various  Israelite tribes. Having received their allotments, the various tribes were unable or unwilling to bring their territory under total settlement so that the enemy could not filter back into their territory.

What began as a series of victories, led by the Lord, ended as a series of compromises. Israel rationalized their failures by making slaves out of the heathen peoples; but this only led to further trouble.  (Wiersbe)

Liberty Bible Commentary explains that the unoccupied territory mentioned were cities in verses 27-36:

• Those cities which Manasseh did not conquer formed a line of Canaanite resistance the northern tribes (verses 27-28);
• Ephraim did not drive them out of Gezer (verse 29);
• Zebulun drove them out of Kitron, but not Nahalol (verse 30);
• Asher had several cities where they did not remove the Canaanites (verses 31-32);
• Naphtali drove out the Beth-shemesh inhabitants, but not the Beth-shemesh, which were centers of Canaanite worship (verse 33);
• Dan was forced into the mountains by the Amorites (verses 34-36), who controlled the Fertile Crescent in the Mesopotamian Valley. The strongest man, Samson, came from the tribe of Dan, which was the weakest tribe.

What does this say to us today? God had the failures of these tribes listed in the Bible. Are our failures written down in heaven? If they are under the blood (of Jesus), forgiven, then they are cast as far as the east is from the west and remembered no more. (See Ps. 103:12)

LET IT GROW

While the Israelites were initially faithful to recapture Bethel, they spared some of the inhabitants, who established another city where they worshiped Canaanite gods. such incomplete or halfhearted obedience opens the door to failure and sin (Josh. 23:13). (D. Jeremiah)

Why did Israel not follow through and completely obey God's commands?
Life Application Study Bible gives possible answers:

1. They had been fighting for a long time and were tired. Although the goal was in sight, they lacked the discipline and energy to reach it.
2. They were afraid the enemy was too strong-iron chariots seemed invincible.
3. After Joshua's death, power and authority were decentralized to the tribal leaders, and the tribes were no longer unified in purpose.
4. Spiritual decay had infected them from within. They thought they could handle the temptation and be more prosperous by doing business with the Canaanites.

Do we often choose to tolerate sin rather than drive it from our lives?
Do we sometimes we know what to do but do not follow through?
Does this result in gradual deterioration of our relationship with God?
Victory comes from living according to His purpose, willing to fully obey God.
Things to ponder.

LET IT GO

Ask God to show me when I am halfheartedly obedient.

Ask God to change my heart and attitudes and forgive me.

Be faithful to fully obey God wholeheartedly.