#soap # Joshua 16 ## Title: Play Now, Pay Later ## Scripture: (Joshua 16:10) “The Ephraimites did not conquer the Canaanites living in Gezer. The Canaanites live among the Ephraimites to this very day and do hard labor as their servants.” (NET) ## Observation: One of the reasons the Book of Judges is such a mess is because Israel did not drive them out. They turned some of these nations into slaves. This was not God’s plan. The plan was for them to be out of there. This creates negative influences. Possibly, Israel thought they were doing something even better than God’s plan because they got free labor. Saul thought the same thing. The result… devastation. God knows what He is doing. Even if doing things God’s way seems like “more work” or “not wise” at the time. Trust the Lord. ## Application: Obey God’s Word. It always pays off. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for helping us know Your Word so we can do what You say.