Earlier Judges
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The Ammonites subdued the eastern tribes and, crossing the Jordan,
invaded the territory of Judah and Ephraim. On the west the Philistines
came up from their plain beside the sea, burning and pillaging far and
near. Again Israel seemed to be abandoned to the power of relentless
foes.
Again the people sought help from Him whom they had so forsaken
and insulted. “The children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We
have sinned against Thee, both because we have forsaken our God,
and also served Baalim.” But sorrow had not worked true repentance.
The people mourned because their sins had brought suffering upon
themselves, but not because they had dishonored God by transgression
of His holy law. True repentance is more than sorrow for sin. It is a
resolute turning away from evil.
The Lord answered them through one of His prophets: “Did I
not deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the
children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also,
and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried
to Me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken Me,
and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and
cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the
time of your tribulation.”
These solemn and fearful words carry the mind forward to another
scene—the great day of final judgment—when the rejecters of God’s
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mercy and the despisers of His grace shall be brought face to face with
His justice. At that tribunal must they render an account who have
devoted their God-given talents of time, of means, or of intellect, to
serving the gods of this world. They have forsaken their true and loving
Friend, to follow the path of convenience and worldly pleasure. They
intended at some time to return to God; but the world with its follies
and deceptions absorbed the attention. Frivolous amusements, pride
of dress, indulgence of appetite, hardened the heart and benumbed
the conscience, so that the voice of truth was not heard. Duty was
despised. Things of infinite value were lightly esteemed, until the heart
lost all desire to sacrifice for Him who has given so much for man.
But in the reaping time they will gather that which they have sown.
Saith the Lord: “I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched
out My hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all My
counsel, and would none of My reproof: ... when your fear cometh as