Joshua 17:12

Ver. 12. Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out, &c.— They were unable through negligence, from a want of valour and confidence in the divine promises, and because God, to punish them, refused them that protection and success of which they had rendered themselves unworthy. Judges 2:19. See Waterland's Script. Vind. part 2: p. 69. To destroy a city, signifies often to destroy its inhabitants; and to be unable to do a thing is sometimes put for being unwilling to do so. So Genesis 29:8; Genesis 34:14; Genesis 34:31.

Note; (1.) If we lose the opportunity that God puts in our power, when we would afterwards succeed it is too late. (2.) Ephraim's conduct probably led them into this step; so easily do we follow the bad examples of others, and plead them for our exculpation.