Falaite ‘Okatopa 29, 2021
We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you
Kuo mau hia: ke fai ‘e he ‘Afiona kiate kimautolu ha me‘a ‘oku ha lelei ki ho finangalo
Fakamaau 10 (Judges 10)
(v. 15-16) Ka ka tali ‘e ha‘a ‘Isileli kia Sihova, Kuo mau hia: ke fai ‘e he ‘Afiona kiate kimautolu ha me‘a ‘oku ha lelei ki ho finangalo: kaekehe ke ke fakahaofi kimautolu ‘i he taimi ko eni. Pea na‘a nau hu‘ihu‘i atu ‘a e ngaahi ‘otua muli mei honau lotolotonga, pea na‘a nau tauhi kia Sihova: pea na‘e ‘ikai makātaki hono finangalo koe‘uhi koe mamahi ‘a ‘Isileli.
(v. 15-16) 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.” So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord, and he became impatient over the misery of Israel.
G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible
Following the death of Abimelech there seems to have been a period of forty years' quietness under the dictatorship of Tola and Jair.
After this there appears to have broken out a period characterized by an almost utter abandonment of the people to idolatry. The list of the forms which this idolatry took is appalling.
Judgment came this time through the Philistines and the men of Ammon and continued for eighteen years.
At last, sore distressed, they cried to God, and for the first time in the history it is recorded that God refused to hear them, reminding them of how repeatedly He had delivered them and they had returned to evil courses.
In the message of His anger, however, there was, as is always the case, clearly evident a purpose of deliverance. He recalled them to a recognition of His power by bidding them seek deliverance from the gods whom they had worshiped. They knew full well the helplessness of these gods in such an hour of distress. The very heart of Jehovah flames out in this connection in a remarkable statement. "His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel."
David Guzik :: Study Guide for Judges 10
Do to us whatever seems best to You: This indicates that Israel came to a place of total surrender to God. The prayer that comes most naturally to us is, “Do to me whatever seems best to me.” The change in heart meant that the season of affliction eventually did affect Israel in a good way.
So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord: Israel finally discovered that the worst of serving God is better than the best of serving idols.
His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel: God looked upon disobedient Israel with compassion, not hatred. It was “difficult” for God to allow Israel to stay in their misery, though it was best for them. Like the perfect loving parent, God hated to see Israel suffer, even when it was good for them. He longed to rescue them but would not do it until it was good for them.
“The Hebrew word literally means ‘impatient.’ It suggests God’s restlessness in the presence of suffering. It is the restlessness of His love, and that is the cause of His anger, and the governing principle in all its activities.” (Morgan)
“God grieves for the miseries to which his creatures are reduced by their own sins. Be astonished ye heavens, at this; and shout for joy, all ye inhabitants of the earth! For, through the love whence this compassion flowed, God has visited and redeemed a lost world!” (Clarke)
“His soul was grieved; not properly, or as to inward affection, for God being infinitely happy, is not capable of grieving; but figuratively, and as to outward expression. He acted towards them like one that felt their sufferings.” (Poole)
“And now He grieves over you. If only you would forsake your sins and turn to Him, He would assuredly raise up a Jephthah for your help.” (Meyer)
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