Contemplative Bible Reading

Judges 3:5-6 (New Living Translation)

5 So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, 6 and they intermarried with them. Israelite sons married their daughters, and Israelite daughters were given in marriage to their sons. And the Israelites served their gods.

The people of Israel moved into the land promised to them by the Creator. The land was still inhabited by those who were hostile to them. How to make peace?

On quick and practical way in the times was to marry them; make them part of your family, and they will no longer hate you. Was that what God wanted them to do? I think not. One result of the quick and practical way to peace is what is shown in the conclusion above:

And the Israelites served their gods.

ooops. Instead of marrying and bring the new family to God the Creator, they married and went the way of the other gods. Perhaps good intentions—definitely bad result.

Let us keep our eyes and hearts on the good intentions and watch when our results drift away. Let us pray that God helps us in our unbelief.