Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Isaiah 30:18
God sent the prophets to give His word to the children of Israel so they would know exactly where they stood before Him. These messages often were not pleasant ones because they rebelled against God's commands, and refused to follow God wholly. They wanted to be like other kingdoms in worshiping idols, and they would only worship God for His protection. Thousands of years have passed since the prophets declared God's word to a stubborn and rebellious people, but people's heart attitudes have not changed in their responses to God.
Israel was besieged by enemies on all sides; their circumstances made them unstable and afraid. They did not want to turn to God fully, so instead they sent ambassadors to Egypt to help them - the very place God brought them out from slavery. Israel thought that their old masters would deliver them even when the LORD told them clearly it was complete foolishness. God knew they would rebel; He even told them they would rebel - and He left them promises of what would happen when they repented. God was not pleased to judge them, but His character is one of justice. He wanted to be gracious to Israel, but could not overlook their rebellion.
It's easy to pass judgment on these stubborn people from long ago. To in our hearts say, "I would not do that." Israel did the same thing we often do today - ignore God's words, hear what we want to hear, or give lip service to God and His commands. We fill our lives with things that are temporary, and tell God we will listen or obey later. The amazing thing about being a child of God is that we have more than prophets to speak to us. We have thousands of years of teaching about how God interacts with man and His holy attributes. The Holy Spirit teaches us if we have turned to God through Jesus Christ, Jesus intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. What excuses do we have to give God for our rebellion? Israel had no excuses back then, but how much less of an excuse do we have today if we refuse to listen to His written Word? Even in our petty excuses and rebellion, God's character does not change - He still waits and longs for us to run back to Him in repentance.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1:1-2
C.S. Lewis uses the term "chronological snobbery" to refer to the (fallacious) belief that people in biblical times were somehow less sophisticated or more gullible than modern folk; the term could just as easily be applied as you outline above. We are no more obedient--and can no better excuse our disobedience--than the Israelites. It's a humbling thought. Great post!
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