Ephraim Did Not Drive Out the Canaanites - Judges 1:29

In the book of Judges we learned, “when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-nine of Judges, we learn,“neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites”, where we read,

Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; 

but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.

The verse reads, “Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer;” The writer began with the words, “neither did Ephraim” which means “no and not in any manner did Ephraim whose name means ‘double ash-heap or I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh” “drive out the Canaanites” or “expel, seize, dispossess or disinherit the Canaanites whose name means ‘zealous or lowland’ and were the descendants of Canaan”“that dwelt in Gezer” or “who abode, inhabited and lived within Gezer whose name means ‘portion’ and was a Levitical city on the border of Ephraim”. The writer shared how the tribe of “Ephraim” did not expel the people of “Canaan” who lived within the city of “Gezer”.

The verse goes on to say, “but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.” The writer continued with the words, “but the Canaanites” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the Canaanites whose name means ‘zealous or lowland” “dwelt in Gezer” or “abode, lived and made their habitation within Gezer whose name means ‘portion’” “among them” which means “in the midst and middle of them, the people of Ephraim”. The writer shared how the people of “Canaan” lived in the midst of the tribe of “Ephraim” in the city of “Gezer”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover another tribe of Israel, “Ephraim”, who did not disinherit completely the people of “Canaan” who lived in their territory, “Gezer”, that was in the promise land. God wanted all the enemies of Israel to be expelled from the people of Israel because He knew their influence would draw them away from Him and into destructive and sinful behaviors. God wants to cleanse us from all sin through a relationship with His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the world and was resurrected from the grave after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and cleanse from unrighteousness and it’s influence. (See John 3:16; 1 John 1:9)

Next time we learn, “Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".