God knows when a nation has abandoned Him. The nation of Israel forgot His goodness and turned to idolatry or empty religious ritual. Eventually he would judge this. He had to before it spread even farther. But, as Pastor Terry will emphasize today, God never judges and punishes a nation or an individual for that matter, without giving lots of chances to repent. In His graciousness, not wanting any to perish, He gives time and opportunity to turn to him. But that time will eventually run out.
