In Judges 1, after Joshua dies, Judah and Simeon drive out the Canaanites from the land. They take Gaza but cannot drive out the inhabitants of the plain because of their chariots. The Benjaminites do not drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem. Ephraim does not drive out the Canaanites and makes them slaves. Others are not able to drive out the inhabitants of their lands and make them slaves.

Judges 2 opens with the angel of the Lord speaking to the people for God. He reminds them of the covenant they made with Him to get rid of all the inhabitants of the Promised Land. They have disobeyed the covenant so God says these people will become Israel’s adversaries and their gods will be a snare to them. After two generations the Israelites begin to worship the Baals (false gods).  God turns them over to the power of their enemies and they are distressed.

God raises up judges who defeat their enemies but when the judge dies the people go back to their sinful ways. God decides not to help them any longer. The remnant nations had been left to test the people and see if they would drive them out. They fail the test.

In Romans 16 Paul concludes his letter to the Romans. He sends greetings to many people including quite a few women. Paul encourages the community to keep an eye on those who would lead others astray.