Bible Study - Joshua 16

S — However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labor.
Joshua 16:10 ESV

O — But the men of Ephraim, like those of Judah, did not completely drive out the Canaanites from their region. Motivated by a materialistic attitude, they chose to put the Canaanites in Gezer under tribute to gain additional wealth. That proved to be a fatal mistake for in later centuries, in the time of the Judges, the arrangement was reversed as the Canaanites rose up and enslaved the Israelites. In addition to the historical lesson there is a spiritual principle here. It is all too easy for a believer to tolerate and excuse some pet sin only to wake up some day to the grim realization that it has risen up to possess and drive him to spiritual defeat. It pays to deal with sin decisively and harshly.

Donald K. Campbell, "Joshua," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 360.

A — Ephraim made the same mistake Judah made. They settled instead of finishing the job. Instead of driving the Canaanites out, they put them to work. Seemed smart at the time — extra hands, extra wealth, no more fighting. But compromise never stays compromise. Give sin an inch and it will eventually take the throne. Think about a weed in your yard. Pull it when it's a sprout and it comes up with one tug. Ignore it for a season and it sends down roots you can't reach. Sin works the same way. What you tolerate today, you'll answer to tomorrow. Deal with it now. Walk in freedom later.

R — Father, You are faithful even when we are not. Thank You for the conviction that shows us sin before it takes root. Give us courage to deal with it today, not tomorrow. We don't want an arrangement with sin. We want freedom. In Jesus' name, amen.