Observations:
(1) DelivererThe 1st and 2nd deliverers arose without much description v.1-4. It seemed that when Israel had trouble these deliverers arose and saved them v.1, 3.
However, from v.6-16, Israel again faced "ruthlessly oppression" v.8, and suffered greatly v.9. God did not deliver them and no deliverer was arose because they worship the pagan idols.
(2) The object of worship
Why Israel changed their object of worship? The idols gave the country power . If they worship an idol who is more powerful then your country will win.
10:11 The LORD said to the Israelites, “Did I not deliver you from Egypt, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, 10:12 the Sidonians, Amalek, and Midian when they oppressed you? You cried out for help to me, and I delivered you from their power.
God asked them why worshipping their loser's idols? Those are illogical chocie the Israelites had made.
(3) The cycle of worshipping God vs worshipping idols
10:16 They threw away the foreign gods they owned and worshiped the LORD. Finally the LORD grew tired of seeing Israel suffer so much.
[Grew tired of] (NET) Heb “And his spirit grew short [i.e., impatient] with the suffering of Israel.”
Reflections: Why do they choose suffering? The Scriptures did not say the Israelite grew tired of suffering, but God grew tired of seeing Israel suffer so much. God loves us more than we love ourselves. We are illogical to make some choices. We may think that there are always some ways that we can correct our mistakes, and that's ok to do whatever we want to do. However, we suffered a great deal as a consequence of those choices.
Do we make good choices when we struggle with sin? Do we suffer a lot because of our wrong choices? May the love of God encourage us to make the right choice and avoid sufferings.
Audrey
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