The oppression against the Israelites had shattered their lives. They were subjected to a foreign nation; their homes were destroyed; their property and crops confiscated, possessions stolen, and spouses and children abused. People were brutalized and often killed. Under this cruel, savage treatment, the hearts of God’s people were crushed and broken. At long last, helpless and hopeless within themselves, the Israelites cried out to the LORD, confessing their sins. They confessed their terrible desertion of God and their having engaged in false worship and idolatry. But note the response of the LORD. Shockingly, He did not accept their confession. Why? – because it did not include repentance. They were confessing their sins, but they were not turning away from their evil. Confession without repentance is never accepted by God. God issued His challenge for the Israelites to cry out to the false gods they had chosen over Him. In the past, He had responded to their cry, but no more. There had to be more than just crying out: there had to be genuine repentance. Once the Israelites had confessed and repented, God responded in compassion. He heard their cry and began the movement to deliver His dear people from their cruel, crushing oppression.
