“This is how I will test Israel,
to see whether or not
they will keep the way of Adonai,
living according to it,
as their ancestors did.”
-Judges 2:22
In verse 22, God tells Israel He’s going to let the Canaanite nations stay in the land for the purpose of testing or putting His people on trial.
When I use the word “trial” here, I mean in a strictly judicial sense…like in a court of law.
The Hebrew word being used is NASSA.
And it doesn’t mean a trial like a “trials and tribulations” kind of trial where God’s people experience undue hardship.
The nuance is the Lord is literally going to put the 12 tribes of Israel on trial in His divine courtroom.
Israel will be the accused and God will be the judge.
Whether the Hebrews will be judged guilty or innocent depends on their level of obedience to God’s Torah while being surrounded by pagan neighbors.
If found innocent, Israel would be granted security and live peacefully in the Promised Land.
If found guilty, God would do to them what they should have done to the Canaanites.
In other words, the Lord will expel His people from the land as punishment.
This would be a bitter pill for Israel to swallow indeed.
Now one thing to keep in mind here.
Don’t ever misinterpret God punishing Israel to in any way mean He has broken, abolished, replaced, or changed His covenant with them.
The covenant remains firmly intact for all eternity.
So all you Replacement Theology promoters, BE GONE!
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