The book of Judges describes a long, dark period of Israel's history in which they were stuck in a cycle of idolatry, punishment, deliverance, and then idolatry again. Yet they did not turn to other gods immediately but through a more subtle downward slide. Their failure to drive out the Canaanites completely from the Promised Land was the first part of this downward slide. Although they were able to conquer the land with the Lord's help, they did not do so completely. Their experience is a reminder to us to beware of similar subtle slides in our own lives, families, and society.