The inhabitants of Judah were all undeserving, yet God would not give them up. By them His name was to be exalted among the heathen. Many who were wholly unacquainted with His attributes were yet to behold the glory of the divine character. It was for the purpose of making plain His merciful designs that He kept sending His servants the prophets with the message, "Turn ye again now everyone from his evil way." Jeremiah 25:5. "For My name's sake," He declared through Isaiah, "will I defer Mine anger, and for My praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off." "For Mine own sake, even for Mine own sake, will I do it: for how should My name be polluted? and I will not give My glory unto another." Isaiah 48:9 ,11.

Judas indbyggere fortjente ikke Herrens gunst, men Gud nænnede ikke at forkaste dem. Det var dem, der skulle ophøje hans navn blandt hedningerne. Skønt mange af dem slet ikke kendte hans egenskaber, ville de blive vidne til den guddommelige karakters herlighed. Det var netop for at give folket en klar forståelse af sine nådige planer, at han gang på gang sendte sine tjenere profeterne til dem med dette budskab: "Omvend eder, hver fra sin onde vej." Jer. 25,5. Han lod Esajas sige: "For mit navns skyld holder jeg vreden hen, for min ære vil jeg skåne, ej udrydde dig." "For min egen skyld griber jeg ind; thi hvor krænkes dog ikke mit navn! Jeg giver ej andre min ære." Es. 48,9. og 11.