Canaanites And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not. -Judges 1:28, 2:20-22
The Canaanites were the inhabitants of what would become the promised land for the children of Israel. The Lord commanded the Israelite armies, upon first entering their lands, to make them an offering of peace if they would but live in accordance to the principles of righteousness. When they refused to forsake their sins and live in peace with the Israelites, the people of God were commanded to conquer them. Such a commandment did not come from a vengeful God with destructive motives, but rather was given as a precautionary measure of protecting His chosen people. The Lord wanted His covenant people to live far away from the evil influences of paganism so as to preserve the purity of His law and doctrine. Yet, the Israelites did not listen, and in the end did not destroy all of the Canaanites with whom they came in contact. Later on, they paid the price, and the purity of the Lord’s covenant was lost as they mingled their religious practices with the worship of the dumb idols of the Canaanites. Instead of obeying the Lord’s commands
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