Judges 1:27-36; Judges 2:1-5
God had two reasons for requiring the total destruction of Israel’s enemies.
Firstly, they needed to be punished.
Secondly, He wanted to protect His people from the inevitable influence of the idolatrous Canaanites.
And morally, the same danger exists for us. Part of our time is passed in the company of people who are not saved: colleagues at work; sometimes members of our families. Generally speaking, we cannot avoid these contacts. But we must be careful that they do not have any influence on our spiritual lives. Moreover, let us beware of keeping bad company (1 Corinthians 15:33). There are people from whom we must flee even if they make fun of us. Otherwise they would soon force us "into the mountain" as happened to the children of Dan (v. 34), that is to say they would prevent us enjoying in peace the things that God has given us.
The Angel of the LORD, captain of the host of the LORD (Joshua 5:14), expected Israel to come back to Gilgal, the starting point for the glorious victories of an earlier day. But in vain! Then he goes up to Bochim, the place of tears. When we compare the present weakness of the Church with the story of its glorious beginning, should we not humble ourselves?