THESE ARE THE NATIONS
Judges 2:20-23 * 3:1-7


-God's custom was to give Israel the victory in battle delivering the enemy into their hands {Jud 1:2-4}
-This time God chooses to leave the enemies in their place {Jud 3:1-7}
-These nations would be trouble for Israel
-Christians have problems in their lives, but it is for a reason

3 Reasons why God left the nations in Israel and problems in the lives of Christians:

I. A THORN {2:2-3 * Num. 32:23 * 33:55 * Prov. 5:22} 
-Israel was warned by God to drive out the enemy
-They disobeyed and inflicted themselves with problems
-Disobedient Christians suffer the consequences by creating trouble for themselves

II. TO TEACH {3:1-2 * Psa. 94:12 * 119:71} 
-There are many lessons that need to be learned
-If God removes problems from our lives, we will never learn anything

III. TO TEST {2:22 * 3:4} 
-Israel was noted for saying one thing and doing another
-Christians many times do the same
-God knows if we mean what we say or not, but He wants US to know if we mean what we say