Judg 10:11 | KingComments | STEP | The pressure on Israel becomes heavy. Then they call to the LORD with acknowledgment of the wrong. But look how the LORD reacts. He reminds them of the past deliverances He has brought about and how they have dealt with them. After every deliverance they have left Him again, and again they have started to serve the idols. Now they should go and ask those gods to deliver them. This action of God does not miss its effect. The people understand that confession alone is not enough. The idols must be removed. We also see this with Jacob. In Genesis 35 we read that he commands his household to put away the idols ( ). Jacob is with his household on his way to Bethel. There he will meet God. He realizes that life with God and the love of idols cannot go hand in hand. Both Jacob then and the people now come to the awareness that the putting away the wrong is the true touchstone for real repentance. Which idols are we dealing with? What are the things that make us wander away from God? It can be something different for everyone. But what happens when they are put away? They “served the LORD”. Then “He could bear the misery of Israel no longer” ( ). What a wonderful word! It indicates God’s special desire to help His people with all the compassion of His heart.

‏ Judges 10:11

The Genuineness of the Confession Tested

The pressure on Israel becomes heavy. Then they call to the LORD with acknowledgment of the wrong. But look how the LORD reacts. He reminds them of the past deliverances He has brought about and how they have dealt with them. After every deliverance they have left Him again, and again they have started to serve the idols. Now they should go and ask those gods to deliver them.

This action of God does not miss its effect. The people understand that confession alone is not enough. The idols must be removed. We also see this with Jacob. In Genesis 35 we read that he commands his household to put away the idols (Gen 35:1-5). Jacob is with his household on his way to Bethel. There he will meet God. He realizes that life with God and the love of idols cannot go hand in hand. Both Jacob then and the people now come to the awareness that the putting away the wrong is the true touchstone for real repentance.

Which idols are we dealing with? What are the things that make us wander away from God? It can be something different for everyone. But what happens when they are put away? They “served the LORD”. Then “He could bear the misery of Israel no longer” (Jdg 10:16). What a wonderful word! It indicates God’s special desire to help His people with all the compassion of His heart.