How does Judges 10:7 illustrate God's response to Israel's disobedience? Verse Text (Judges 10:7) “So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites.” Setting the Scene • Israel has once again abandoned the LORD for idols (Judges 10:6). • The verse shows the instantaneous shift from sin to consequence in the book’s familiar cycle: rebellion → retribution → repentance → rescue. God’s Righteous Anger • “The anger of the LORD burned” points to personal, holy indignation—not reckless rage. • Psalm 7:11: “God is a righteous Judge, a God who displays His wrath every day.” • Romans 1:18 affirms the same principle for all peoples: His wrath is revealed against ungodliness. Divine Ownership and Sovereignty • “He sold them” portrays God as the sovereign Lord who controls national fortunes. • Deuteronomy 32:30 predicted that Israel’s defeat would come only if God “had given them up.” • The LORD remains in command even while disciplining His people. Immediate Consequences of Disobedience • Loss of Protection—God withdraws His shielding hand (cf. Numbers 14:43). • Foreign Oppression—Philistines press from the west, Ammonites from the east, squeezing Israel on two fronts. • Collective Suffering—sin’s fallout hits the entire covenant community, not just the idolaters. Purpose Behind the Discipline • To expose the futility of idols (Jeremiah 2:27–28). • To cultivate repentance, previewed in Judges 10:10 where Israel finally cries out. • Hebrews 12:6: “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves.” Judgment is medicinal, not merely punitive. Lessons for Believers Today • God still hates and responds to sin; grace does not nullify His holiness (1 Peter 1:15–17). • Divine discipline can feel like abandonment, yet it is evidence of His active fatherhood. • Turning back quickly shortens the season of chastening (1 John 1:9). |
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