Judges 3 tells that the LORD left some nations in the Promised Land "...to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses."
Now begins a cycle told throughout Judges:
Israel inter-married with the pagans
Israel forgot God
Israel worshipped idols
God delivered Israel into capitivity
Israel repented
God raised up a deliverer (a judge)
God delivered Israel
Israel had rest
The judge died
Israel forgot God...
and over and over the cycle continued...
shows the persistance of idolatry - they returned to it over and over again
shows the patience and mercy of God - He forgave over and over again
shows the quickness of restoration - as soon as the people cried out to God, He raised up the deliverer with no delays
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