1st.: Lord, Who Shall Go Up?
After Joshua's death, the children of Israel asked God,
“Who shall go up to fight against the Canaanites?” (see Judg. 1:1).
The Lord answered, “Judah shall go up.” (Judg. 1:2).
The tribe of Judah with the tribe of Simeon, annihilated many cities in the
Promised Land (see Judg. 1:3-18).
However, other cities resisted more, and their inhabitants were not driven out.
For example, Judg. 1:19 says that the mountain towns were destroyed, but not the inhabitants of the valleys.
When the valley people showed themselves strong, Judah could have asked the Lord for help with them.
Considering that the Lord had earlier said,
“The Lord thy God will put out those nations little by little.
Thou may not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.” (Deut. 7:22).
The armies of Judah may have had to wait a year (or so) before destroying them.
God can bring fast wealth increases, if He wants.
But He is more concerned with character development.
That takes longer to do.
By having the Israelites drive out all the inhabitants, little by little, God is, among other things,
requiring the Israelites to diligently seek him in prayer over the long term (see Heb. 11:6).
Are we willing to pray ‘day-in, day-out’, every single year of our lives?
“Praying always with all prayer and supplications in the Spirit.” (Eph. 6:18a)