Enemies In the Land

Judges 3:1-6 ‘These are the nations the LORD left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan  (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience):  the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath.  They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the LORD’s commands, which he had given their forefathers through Moses. The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.’

From the passage above, in all 8 distinct people groups (all enemies of Israel) were left to dwell within the land. We read of the Philistines, Canaanites, Sidonians, Hivities, Hittites, Amorities, Perizzites, and the Jebusites.

God did not want them living on within the land but due to Israel’s disobedience, He left them for 2 distinct reasons which are mentioned in the passage above: that is, for testing, and for teaching.

The name ‘Philistine’ means ‘wallowing’ or to ‘wallow self’. The dictionary says that wallowing means ‘roll about in or to give oneself over to, or revel in, a feeling, or way of life. Example: To wallow in self pity, to wallow in riches.’

Now, we read that there were five Lords over the Philistines and if you will allow me a little lee-way here I would like to suggest that these stand for five different aspects of our sinful nature in regards to wallowing: Namely, self-pity, self-depreciation, self-importance, self-indulgence, and self-pleasure. The Philistines speak of our great enemy ‘self’ in all the delicious forms it comes in. Doesn’t matter whether you are wallowing in the depths of self-pity or are giving yourself over to worldly indulgence or self-importance, one thing is for sure – there are stinking Philistines in the land! And don’t forget this either – of all the enemies of Israel, the Philistines were the greatest and lasted the longest!

The name Canaanite means ‘merchant, or trafficker’ and this is exactly what they were. Harpers Bible dictionary states that ‘the Canaanites enjoyed a reputation as traders.’ They lived within the land and were happy to remain there just so long as the trading and profit were good! Do we not see this Canaanite principle all around us in western Christianity? The principle of looking ‘religious’ or going to church, simply for what you can get out of it! This may be for monetary gain , or social gain… it is Canaanites within the land!

Now this one gets me. The third major people group that lived on within the land were the Hittites. The Hittite empire was one of the largest in ancient times and it’s people were very strong, spreading out over an immense area. The name Hittite is derived from the name ‘Heth’ and means ‘sons of terror’. It is the principle, or spirit, of fear that seeks to dominate our Christian lives. Now the Hittite empire may have come and gone, but its principle of fear certainly hasn’t. How many Christians still live in fear?

The next major people group we find in the land were the Amorites. The word Amorite means ‘a talker, to say, speak’. It is also interesting to see that it is derived from a word that can be used in the sense of self-boasting or commanding. So the Amorites speak of words without action . It is the very principle that Jesus warned His disciples against when He spoke of the Pharisees saying ‘obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

The names Hivites and Perizzites have the same meaning. Hivites means ‘a villager’, and Perizzites means ‘rustic or belonging to a village’. In the Amorites you had a talker, someone who liked to command and thought very highly of himself. The Hivites and Perizzites represent the other side of the coin – the villager or commoner mentality. Someone who constantly downplays him or herself to the point where they do not think God can use them. Now, some boast of self, some downplay self, but sure enough, self is still the focus! Into this category of the villager mentality we could put two great ‘stars’ of the Old Testament – namely Moses  and Gideon . But both overcame this attitude and were greatly used of the Lord.

Finally we have the Sidonians and the Jebusites. Sidonian means ‘hunting’ and reminds us of the battle that we are in where ‘our adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.’

The last enemy mention Jebusite means ‘to trample, tread down’ and speaks of the desired end result of our combined enemies. The Jebusites dwelt around and in Jerusalem and there is evidence that Jebus was the pre-Davidic name for Jerusalem.  Think about your life for a sec… have you been giving the enemy a place that should be reserved for God?
ed is the Jebusites.

Two things remember? God said that He would use those nations to test Israel, and to teach warfare to Israel. So firstly, there is a test…

Judges 2:22, 22 so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not.”

So let me ask you… what enemies remain in your life? Are you given to Hittite fear, Philistine self-wallowing, Canaanite worldliness or Amorite hypocrisy? We are all different and as such, we all have different areas of weakness.

Never forget, there is no bondage or weakness too strong or mighty for the Lord! He can and will deliver us out of them all!!