Why did Israel leave off destroying the Canaanites?
Israel left off destroying the Canaanites because they became soft-hearted, thinking they could use these people for servants instead of destroying them. For one reason or another, they stopped carrying out God’s instruction, and the Canaanites later influenced Israel toward idolatry.
Les explains that during the period of the Judges, Israel had occupied the land of Canaan but did not destroy the Canaanite people as God had instructed. They got soft-hearted and thought they could use these people for servants. For one reason or another, they left off destroying the Canaanite people. As God had promised, the Canaanites influenced the children of Israel and took them right into idolatry. This is hard to comprehend because Israel had the manifestation and miracle-working power of Jehovah God in their midst, yet they turned to pagan idols. The history of Israel throughout those 300 to 400 years of Judges is a roller coaster, reaching spiritual heights under good judges.