Thorns of Mercy
Judges 2:3–5 (ESV) 3 So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” 4 As soon as the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the people of Israel, the people lifted up their voices and wept. 5 And they called the name of that place Bochim. And they sacrificed there to the Lord . After Israel's slow fade into half-hearted faith in the land of promise and after they began little by little to not only decelerate their occupation of the land but also to embrace cohabitations with the people in it, the Lord has a word of judgment for them. He will not drive out the nations before them. Though He was the one who began to drive them out, He would do so no longer. Instead, those nations they failed to drive out will become "thorns" and "snares." I know this looks bad, but consider: 1. God does not drive Israel out of the land. His patience is on display with di...