Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
So you handed them over to their enemies, who caused them great suffering. But when they were in trouble and cried out to you, you heard them from heaven. Because of your great mercy, you gave them leaders who rescued them from their enemies.
This verse describes God's pattern of allowing consequences for disobedience, but always responding with mercy and rescue when people cry out to Him in their trouble.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of a long prayer of confession during Nehemiah's time, as the Jewish people reflected on their history after returning from Babylonian exile. The Levites were recounting the cycle that repeated throughout Israel's history - disobedience leading to conquest by enemies, followed by repentance and God's merciful deliverance through judges and leaders. This pattern is especially evident during the time of the judges, when God repeatedly raised up deliverers like Gideon, Deborah, and Samson.
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