"'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you live. And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.'" Numbers 33:55-56
When God's commands are specific, we would be wise to follow through completely. The Israelites received very specific instructions regarding the inhabitants of Canaan; they were to be driven out completely. If any remained, they would be trouble for the Israelites, and eventually God would drive out His own children.
Everything God said came to pass. And to this day, there are disputes in Israel.
Lord, I wonder what the world would have been like if the Israelites had followed Your instructions to the letter. How would it have changed Your plan? Would Jesus have come and died like He did? I wonder what You had in mind at the beginning.
Help me to hear Your instructions, Lord, then give me the strength and courage to follow through to completion.