GOD’S CHASTISEMENT FOR HALF-HEARTED OBEDIENCE AND THE NEGLECT OF DUTY BY HIS PEOPLE

Dear Members in Christ,

God’s chastisement for half-hearted obedience and the neglect of duty by His people

We know that God is longsuffering, and in His dealings with God’s people, He is a gracious deliverer. The Bible also tells us that God’s people are sometimes disobedient and they fall into sin. However, God’s people have the assurance that God is gracious and will forgive their sins if we sincerely repent and turn to Him. However, this is not a license for a Christian to practice half-hearted obedience. During the times of the Judges, the Israelites initially showed some measure of success in their conquest of the land. When the tribe of Judah obeyed God and drove out the inhabitants of the land, they were victorious. However, they were not thorough in their duty. We read in the opening chapters of the Book of Judges,

“Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof. And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.” Judges 1:18,19

Following the stunted results of Judah in their bid to drive out the Canaanites, the other Israelite tribes were also flagging in their military campaigns. The Bible tells us that,

“And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.” Judges 1:21

So did Manasseh, Ephraim, Asher, Zebulun, Napthali; all the tribes failed to clear out the Amorites as God had commanded them. 

A. The people neglected to obey God and they did not drive out the Canaanites

The end of the era of Joshua’s leadership saw a neglect in the continuous military campaign to rid the land of idolatrous and bloody and perverted Canaanite religions. So, they allowed the Amorites to dwell amongst them.

“And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed so that they became tributaries.” Judges 1:34,35

Not only was this a theological compromise, it became an issue of peace and security. The Amorites force the tribe of Dan to flee to the mountains. Even though there is some consolation in that in certain areas, the tribes of Joseph actually prevailed and took the Amorites as tributaries. However, this is still seen as negligence in their duty—it is not real victory. God had warned them, in the book of Exodus, “Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.” (Exodus 23:32-33).

Dearly beloved, let us learn the lesson from the history of the ancient Israelites. A duty half-done, half-hearted, half-accomplished, is as good as neglect of duty. Judah had success because they trusted in God. Men like Caleb, Othniel and the tribe of Simeon were victorious because they trusted and obeyed God’s command. Dear brothers and sisters, let us serve God faithfully and zealously. Whether it is a menial task, or a duty on the Lord’s Day, let us fully commit and may God grant us success!

B. God chastises His people when they sin against Him

The failure in their campaigns and the lackluster performance of the military shows their attitude in service to God. The ancient Israelites were half-hearted, and often weak in strength and resolve to obey and carry out God’s commandments. They had other easier options though. There were idol “gods” of the land which were less demanding on their service and easier to appease. So, they ended up following the ways of the Amorites, the Philistines and the Canaanites. 

“And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.”  Judges 2:13,14

This is the beginning of many episodes of chastisement that were laid in store for God’s people. The purpose of God’s chastisement is to turn their hearts to repentance. Dearly beloved, while it is true that not every affliction in our lives is God’s chastisement, we should be sensitive to examine ourselves if indeed it is God’s leading to make us aware of unconfessed sins. The people of God in the times of the Judges did evil and sinned against God. They were half-hearted in their obedience to God and brought upon themselves many sorrows. If we have fallen, do not despair. Instead, we must sincerely repent and turn to Him for deliverance. Submit to God, repent immediately and cry for deliverance! Let us walk close to the Lord Jesus Christ that we may obey His Word, and live and serve Him faithfully. May God be praised. Amen.    

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor