The Patience of God

Judges 10 There is a pattern that becomes very evident in this book, and it is what we read in Judges 10:10 “The Israelites cried out for help to the Lord: “We have sinned against you. We abandoned our God and worshiped the Baals.” How many times does a nation have to walk the same route to get the message that God is God and He will not share his glory with another? And yet: “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. “ [Ps 34:17]

Judges 9-12 reveals that, once again, the nation started out correctly but soon diminished into chaos and idolatry. It is then that they come back to God in tears and repentance. When the judge died, and the people are left without a godly leader they revert back to idolatry. The patience of God is remarkable; He allows us to wallow in the mire but is ready to forgive and reinstate us to a higher state. God has placed these chapters here for a reason so that we might learn and apply biblical principles to our lives.

What lessons is God teaching you as you read this book?