Israel’s Defeat

The Israelites served the Lord during the days of Joshua and the elders who had seen great works of the Lord. Israel looked to the Lord for guidance. They were dependent on Him. But time came where they did not maintain their dependence on God when they fought in a battle against the Canaanites.

In Judges 1:1-36, it stated:

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?” The Lord answered, “Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands.” The men of Judah then said to the Simeonites their fellow Israelites, “Come up with us into the territory allotted to us, to fight against the Canaanites. We in turn will go with you into yours.” So the Simeonites went with them.

God wanted Judah to fight against the Canaanites, and the Lord promised victory. Judah invited Simeon to go with him to fight against the Canaanites and he promised Simeon to help him in conquering his lot. Judah did not have full confidence on God. He was dependent on his brother to gain victory over the Canaanites.

He trusted his brother more than God. His action dishonored the Lord because he trusted someone else besides the Lord. God wanted Judah to fight and be dependent on His divine command yet he asked help from Simeon. Their disobedience resulted in their defeat. Victory was not on their side because of their disobedience to the Lord.