The book of Judges powerfully and vividly depicts the human experience throughout history. We often reject the God of Life; things go badly for us, we complain, and sometimes we blame God for our tragedies. How do we relate to God after turning away from his presence? Do we cry? Do we lament? Do we recognize our wrongdoings and ask for forgiveness?
In earlier verses (2:14ff), the author reveals a God who is angry with his people. There is nothing else in the Bible that provokes God’s anger as much as idolatry and neglect of the poor. When people commit these sins, God acts decisively. However, the anger that God experiences does not last forever; it is fleeting (Ps 30:5). God never remains indifferent to the oppression of his people, even when the community is responsible for its tyranny. God can turn his anger into understanding and mercy toward the marginalized who cry out for justice.