Judges 10:10 And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, saying, “We have sinned against you, because we have forsaken our God and have served the Baals.” 11 And the Lord said to the people of Israel, “Did I not save you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites, from the Ammonites and from the Philistines? 12 The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, and you cried out to me, and I saved you out of their hand. 13 Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. 14 Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.” 15 And the people of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please deliver us this day.” 16 So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord, and he became impatient over the misery of Israel.
After briefly mentioning a few judges whom God had raised up to deliver them (with no mention of God speaking), the historian now records a discussion between the Lord and His people. Why should He once again deliver them when they kept repeating the same pattern? Should He come to their aid only to have them turn back and worship other gods? The people responded with true repentance, and God could no longer watch them suffer. This lead to His raising up Jephthah to deliver them, but now without a few more lessons to about prejudice, bitterness and revenge. Again, an account well worth reading.
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