Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.
So I have decided that I will not drive out these nations from your land. Instead, they will become like thorns constantly poking your sides, and their gods will become traps that ensnare you.
God is telling the Israelites that because of their disobedience, He won't remove their enemies, who will become ongoing sources of trouble and spiritual temptation.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from the angel of the Lord speaking to the Israelites at Bochim after they had failed to completely drive out the Canaanite nations as God had commanded. Instead of destroying these pagan peoples and their places of worship, the Israelites had made compromises and treaties with them. God is now explaining the consequences of their partial obedience.
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