Joshua 17:13

Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out.

Joshua 17:13 (KJV)

Context

The book of Joshua records how the Israelites, led by Joshua after Moses’ death, entered and settled the Promised Land. This verse appears in the account of dividing the land among the tribes, especially the descendants of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh. God had commanded Israel to drive out the Canaanites completely, but here they chose a different path. The command was not optional; it came from God Himself, who had promised to go before them and give them victory. Yet when the moment came, the people did not fully obey.

Meaning

The phrase “waxen strong” means the Israelites grew powerful. When they became strong, they did not expel the Canaanites but forced them to pay tribute, which was a kind of tax or forced labor. The verse says plainly that they “did not utterly drive them out.” This was partial obedience, and partial obedience is still disobedience. God’s command was clear, and Israel’s action fell short of it. Strength and success can lead to complacency, where believers settle for less than full obedience. The Canaanites remained in the land, and their presence would become a source of temptation and conflict for generations.

Biblical connections

This failure appears elsewhere in Joshua. For example, Joshua 13:13 notes that the Geshurites and Maachathites were not driven out, and Joshua 16:10 records that the Canaanites among the Ephraimites became tribute slaves. The same pattern continues in Judges 1:28 after Joshua’s death. God had warned in Deuteronomy 7:1-2 that Israel must completely destroy the nations in the land, and the reason was to prevent them from being led into idolatry. By keeping the Canaanites, Israel kept a source of temptation and conflict. The warning was not merely about land; it was about holiness and faithfulness to God.

Application

This verse warns us about the danger of settling for less than full obedience. When we become strong or comfortable, we may be tempted to manage sin rather than remove it. We might think that a little compromise is harmless, but it can grow and lead us away from God. The Canaanites in the land are like habits or influences that God asks us to put away completely. We should examine our lives and ask whether we are merely controlling sin or truly driving it out with God’s help. God calls us to wholehearted devotion, not half-hearted compromise. He gives us strength to obey, but we must choose to use it.

Reflection

God’s faithfulness does not depend on our perfection. Even though Israel failed, God continued to work with them and showed grace when they repented. This encourages us to turn back to God when we fall short. He is willing to forgive and restore us. Yet the verse also reminds us that obedience matters. God calls us to wholehearted devotion, not half-hearted compromise. Let us trust Him fully and obey His commands completely, knowing that His ways lead to life and blessing. When we are strong, let us remember that strength is a gift to be used for full obedience, not an excuse for partial surrender.