The people whom Israel didn’t drive out as per the Word of God, He used to test Israel (ver 4)
Jdg 3:7, So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. THEY FORGOT THE LORD THEIR GOD, and served the Baals & Asherahs.
ISRAEL CHOOSED TO SERVE OTHER gods RATHER THAN THE ONLY TRUE & LIVING GOD! GOD SOLD ISRAEL INTO THE HAND OF THE king OF MESOPTAMIA! AFTER 8 YEARS ISRAEL CRIED OUT TO THE LORD!
Jdg 3:9-10, …the LORD raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel, who delivered them: OTHNIEL THE SON OF KENAZ, CALEB’S YOUNGER BROTHER. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM, AND HE JUDGED ISRAEL…
Besides Othniel, He also raised up Ehud and Shamgar as judges! But upon their death Israel departed from serving the LORD only to serve their sin! YOU EITHER SERVE THE LORD OR SERVE YOU SIN! JESUS SAID (MAT 6:24)”NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS”
Jas 4:4, Adulterers and adulteresses! DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? WHOEVER THEREFORE WANTS TO BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD MAKES HIMSELF AN ENEMY OF GOD.
IT’S A CHOICE THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US! DRAW NEAR TO HIM OR YOUR SIN! ONE LEADS TO DEATH WHILE THE OTHER LEADS TO LIFE! THE CHOICE IS YOURS!