Judges 2:22

22 that through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD by walking therein as their fathers kept it, or not.

Judges 2:22 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 2:22

That through them I may prove Israel
Afflict them by them, and so prove or try them, their faith and patience, which are tried by afflictions; and such were the Canaanites to them, as afflictions and temptations are to the spiritual Israel of God; or rather, whether they would keep in the ways of God, or walk in those the Canaanites did, as follows:

whether they will keep the way of the Lord, as their fathers did keep
[it], or not;
whether they would worship the true God their fathers did, or the gods of the Canaanites; not that the Lord was ignorant of what they would do, and so made the experiment; but that the sincerity and faithfulness, or insincerity and unfaithfulness of their hearts, might appear to themselves and others.

Judges 2:22 In-Context

20 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he said, Because these people transgress my covenant which I commanded their fathers and do not hearken unto my voice;

21 neither will I drive out any longer from before them any of these Gentiles which Joshua left when he died,

22 that through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD by walking therein as their fathers kept it, or not.

23 Therefore, the LORD left those Gentiles, without driving them out hastily; neither did he deliver them into the hand of Joshua.