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Book of Judges - Chapter 2 - Verse 23

2:23
Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

Meaning

This verse from the book of Joshua in the Bible speaks to the intentionality and timing of the Lord's actions. The Lord chose not to drive out the nations hastily or deliver them into the hand of Joshua all at once. This decision was made with a purposeful plan in mind. Instead of a quick and impulsive victory, the Lord allowed the nations to remain and be dealt with gradually. This gave the Israelites an opportunity to learn important lessons about faith, trust, and obedience as they faced ongoing challenges and battles. By not delivering immediate victory, the Lord was teaching the Israelites patience, perseverance, and reliance on Him for strength and guidance. This verse serves as a reminder that the Lord's ways are not our ways, and His timing and methods are always deliberate and purposeful, even when we may not fully understand them at the time.

Theological Overview

From a theological interpretation of the verse, we can see that the Lord's decision to leave certain nations in the land without being driven out hastily serves as a reminder of His sovereignty and ultimate control over all things. This deliberate action of the Lord not delivering these nations into the hands of Joshua also highlights His patience and timing in executing His plans and purposes. It showcases His wisdom in allowing certain situations to unfold in His own time for His glory. The word "hastily" in this verse can also be studied further to understand the importance of patience and trust in the Lord's timing. By taking a closer look at the context and the original Hebrew text, scholars can gain a deeper insight into the significance of God's actions in this particular instance. Overall, this verse reminds us to trust in God's timing and to rely on His wisdom and sovereignty in all aspects of our lives.

American Standard Version

So Jehovah left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.
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