We've been observing compromises in chapter 1 that starts small and grows. We are living in a culture of failure and decline, even among the peopole of God. As with Isra'el, we have become accustomed to failure.

The book of Judges shows God's faithfulness and His people's unfaithfulness.

God never intended the conquering to be quick and easy. God is perpetually at war with sin. That's that whole reason for the extermination of the Canaanites: God hates sin! At the same time we see God's patience in that He allowed the Canaanites 400 years to change their wicked ways.

Our old life prior to conversion was all of the flesh. What did it produce? Heartache? Sorrow? Distress and tears? Then we came to Christ. When we allow the flesh to have a place in our life again, do we expect it to be any better than before we were converted? The flesh never changes. We can't do God's work in the flesh. It is so utterly destructive and always leads to weeping. If we fail to get drastic with the flesh, we will end up in defeat.