May 4 – Judges 1, Judges 2:1-5 John 4:1-26 Proverbs 11:9-18

Judges 1:27-28

Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages, for the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land. When Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not drive them out completely.

A lot of the problems Israel would have, stem from one big mistake. They started strong, but they failed to complete the mission.

They stopped short and did not compete the conquest of the land. This would lead them into problems for years to come. They were meant to drive the inhabitants out (so that Israel would not allow the false religions of the people to influence them) but instead they made them slaves.

They didn’t listen to God. They thought they knew best.

Because they did not drive them out, we can read in Judges 2 all these people became a thorn in the side to Israel. This wasn’t punishment, it was consequences. God wanted them to drive the people out because He knew if they didn’t – all this would happen.

John 4:16-20

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”

This woman gives us a textbook example of changing the subject. Jesus is saying something amazing to her, but also uncomfortable. So what does she say? I perceive you are a prophet… so let’s talk about worship. 

She changes the subject to something less personal. But Jesus turns it around to the nature of worship and gives a revelation of who He is. What He says to her changes her life. 

When Jesus starts to do a work in us, it can get uncomfortable. We can be tempted to move away from that discomfort. This woman was blessed in spite of that, but it was the uncomfortable part of the conversation that really blessed her. “Come and meet a man who told me all I ever did”. When Jesus speaks into a situation, don’t change the subject. But let Him transform that part of your life. 

Prov 11:12

Whoever belittles his neighbour lacks sense,

but a man of understanding remains silent.

A man of understanding remains silent. We can all learn a lesson from that. It’s easy to get into a space where we are pulling people down and belittling them. It can even start with good intentions… but it’s not a good thing. When you belittle someone it can come back and bite you later. 

Be a person of understanding. Learn when to remain silent.