God did not drive out the rest of the peoples of Canaan. Instead, God used them to test the Israelites and try to bring them back to God’s holy ways. God raised up judges who brought the Israelites out of the hands of their enemies. However, a pattern developed. While the judge was alive and helping the Israelites, the people obeyed God. When the judge died, there was a period of time during which the people disobeyed God. This happened time and time again. Thus began a downward spiral for Israel.