I was deeply moved by the nature of God from Judges chapter 10. The ESV renders verse 16, “and He (Jehovah) became impatient over the misery of Israel.” The NASB lends another helpful angle, “He could bear the misery of Israel no longer.” Hebrew scholars, Keil and Delitzsch, share this practical commentary: “Jehovah could no longer look down upon the misery of Israel; He was obligated to help.”
“This is the attitude of God towards His people,” says our German authors. It appears that as He withdrew His helping hand, Israel turned away from her homage of the Baals, Asherah, Ashtoreth, and from similar gods of neighboring cultures. Time after time, Jehovah delivered His people when there was true repentance. Jehovah’s covenant heart of mercy appears to obligate Himself to hear and to act salvifically to the miseries of His own sheep. Specifically, as in this case, to the hurt which sin brings upon the people of God!
I John 1:9 must be the lyric of refuge in our lives as Christians! “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
To what obligation is this, that God binds Himself? He sees my sinning, He feels my miseries, He is troubled by my wanderings, but His soul is impatient to inaction within His spirit. God obligates Himself to look at His penitent children and extend mercy in every phase of life. Meditate upon the sightings of God’s holy impatience.
