Here is shown the Lord’s reluctance to give up His sinning people. And lest Israel had so far neglected His reproofs and warnings as to let them pass from their memory, He delays His judgments upon them and gives them a full rehearsal of their disobedience and aggravating sins from the days of Josiah down to their own time, and of the judgments He had pronounced in consequence of their transgressions. Thus they had another opportunity to see their iniquity and repent. In this we see that God does not delight in afflicting His people; but with a care that surpasses that of a pitying father for a wayward child, He entreats His wandering people to return to their allegiance. {4T 176.3}

Her vises Herrens ulyst til at opgive sit syndige folk. Og hvis Israel ikke havde forsømt hans irettesætteler og advarsler så meget, så de ville glemme dem igen, ville han udskyde sine domme over dem og give dem en fuld (177) udredning for deres ulydighed og irriterende synder helt fra Josias dage ned til deres egen tid og udredning for de domme han udtalte som følge af deres overtrædelser. Derved havde de en ny anledning til at se deres synd og angre. Her ser vi at Gud ikke fornøjer sig ved at plage sit folk, men gør det med en omhu, der overgår en medynkende fader for et egensindigt barn, han beder sit omstrejfende folk indstændigt, om at vende tilbage til lydighed.