16th.: It Took Longer This Time
“And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord” (Judg. 10:6a).
After Gideon died, the the problem with his sons, had played out,
The Israelites again went the wrong way.
Then, God again gave Israel into the hands of various conquering groups (Judg. 10:7-9).
And again, “And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord saying,
We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.’” (Judg. 10:10).
God was getting tired of each generation of Israelites turning this back on the one true God, and worshiping false gods,
Even after God had protected many times in the past.
Therefore, the Lord was not so easily persuaded,
“… and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me and served other gods,
wherefore, I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which you have chosen,
let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation” (Judg. 10:11-14).
God was offended.
He felt betrayed.
He told Israel to get help from those things they loved more.
The children of Israel had to take the next step.
The people confessed their sins and (Judg. 10:15) “… they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord.” (Judg. 10:16a).
When the people finally confessed their sins, God admitted that He grieved for the troubles of Israel (Judg. 10:16b).
How often does God have to wait for us to put down our many toys, or other distractions, and return to Him?
“I [the Lord] will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face. In their affliction, they will seek me early.” (Hos. 5:15)