Judges 10:14

KJV

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Go {H3212} and cry {H2199} unto the gods {H430} which ye have chosen {H977}; let them {H1992} deliver {H3467} you in the time {H6256} of your tribulation {H6869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Go and cry to the gods you chose; let them rescue you when you're in trouble!"

Berean Standard Bible

Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you in your time of trouble.”

American Standard Version

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 10:14 delivers a searing divine rebuke to the Israelites, who, after years of suffering under foreign oppression due to their persistent idolatry, finally cry out to the Lord for deliverance. Instead of immediate comfort, God's response is a sharp, ironic challenge, commanding them to seek help from the very pagan deities they had "chosen" to serve. This verse powerfully exposes the utter futility of idolatry and underscores God's righteous indignation over His people's spiritual infidelity, serving as a catalyst for their eventual repentance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 10:14 is situated within the cyclical narrative structure of the Book of Judges, often summarized as sin, suffering, supplication, and salvation. Following the relatively peaceful periods under Tola and Jair, [Judges 10:6](/judges/10-6 "Judges 10:6 - Israel's Renewed Apostasy") explicitly states that "the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him." This widespread apostasy led to severe oppression by the Ammonites and Philistines for eighteen years, as detailed in [Judges 10:7-9](/judges/10-7 "Judges 10:7-9 - Oppression by Ammonites and Philistines"). When their suffering became unbearable, the Israelites finally [cried out to the Lord in Judges 10:10](/judges/10-10 "Judges 10:10 - Israel's Cry for Help"). The Lord's response in [Judges 10:11-14](/judges/10-11 "Judges 10:11-14 - God's Rebuke and Challenge") is a reminder of His past faithfulness in delivering them from various oppressors, contrasted sharply with their repeated unfaithfulness. Verse 14 is the climactic, sarcastic challenge, designed to force them to confront the worthlessness of their idols and the gravity of their sin, ultimately leading to their repentance in [Judges 10:16](/judges/10-16 "Judges 10:16 - Israel's Repentance and Deliverance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges was characterized by a spiritual vacuum and a constant struggle for Israel to maintain its distinct identity amidst the polytheistic cultures of Canaan. The "gods which ye have chosen" primarily refer to the Canaanite deities like Baal (god of storm, fertility, and kingship) and Asherah (his consort, goddess of fertility), along with regional gods of surrounding nations like Chemosh (Moab), Milcom (Ammon), and Dagon (Philistines). These deities were often associated with agricultural prosperity, military success, and various aspects of daily life, making them appealing to a people struggling to establish themselves in the land. The Israelites' repeated turning to these gods was a direct violation of the foundational covenant command to [have no other gods before the Lord, as stated in Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment"). This historical context highlights the profound spiritual infidelity of Israel, not merely as a lapse but as a deliberate and repeated choice to abandon the covenant Lord who had delivered them from Egypt and given them the land.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 10:14 powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book and broader Old Testament narrative. The most prominent is the **Futility of Idolatry**, demonstrating the absolute powerlessness of false gods to deliver or provide genuine salvation. God's challenge is a rhetorical device to expose the emptiness of seeking help from non-existent deities, contrasting sharply with His own omnipotence and faithfulness. This leads to the theme of **Divine Rebuke and Justice**, where God's righteous anger and frustration with His people's spiritual infidelity are clearly expressed. It underscores that sin has real and painful consequences, as seen throughout the Judges cycle where apostasy inevitably leads to oppression. Implicit within this harsh challenge is a **Call to Repentance**. While seemingly abandoning them, God's words are designed to bring Israel to a point of genuine self-reflection and despair over their choices, compelling them to turn back to Him, the only true Deliverer. This is a form of divine pedagogy, allowing His people to experience the logical outcome of their rebellion so they might truly appreciate His unique sovereignty and grace, ultimately leading to their putting away of foreign gods in [Judges 10:16](/judges/10-16 "Judges 10:16 - Israel's Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Go (Hebrew, _halak'_):** While a simple verb meaning "to walk" or "to go," in this context, it carries a dismissive and ironic tone. It's not a literal command for them to physically depart, but a rhetorical dismissal, essentially saying, "Go ahead, try your luck with them." It underscores God's exasperation and the futility of their past actions.
* **cry (Hebrew, זָעַק, _za'aq'_):** This verb typically describes a desperate cry for help, often used by Israel when they are in distress and appealing to the Lord (e.g., [Judges 3:9](/judges/3-9 "Judges 3:9 - Israel Cries Out to the Lord")). Here, its application to pagan gods is deeply ironic. God is challenging them to direct their desperate pleas to the very entities they chose to serve, knowing full well these idols are deaf and powerless. The use of _za'aq_ here highlights the contrast between the true God who hears and answers, and the false gods who cannot.
* **chosen (Hebrew, בָּחַר, _bachar'_):** This word emphasizes Israel's active and deliberate decision to serve other gods. It's not an accident or a misunderstanding, but a conscious act of preference over the Lord. This highlights their culpability and the depth of their spiritual betrayal, making God's rebuke even more pointed. Their "choice" has led them to "tribulation," and now they are challenged to see if their choice can deliver them.
* **tribulation (Hebrew, צָרָה, _tsarah'_):** This noun denotes deep distress, trouble, anguish, or affliction. It signifies a state of being hemmed in or constricted by difficulties. Its use here underscores the severity of the suffering Israel was experiencing, which finally drove them to cry out. God's challenge is to see if their chosen gods can alleviate this profound and painful "tribulation" that they themselves brought upon themselves through their idolatry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen;":** This clause encapsulates God's profound sarcasm and righteous anger. The command "Go and cry" is a rhetorical dismissal, an invitation to experience the logical consequence of their spiritual choices. By referring to "the gods which ye have chosen," God highlights Israel's culpability and deliberate abandonment of Him. It's a sharp reminder that their suffering is a direct result of their own decisions to worship false deities, exposing the emptiness of their idolatry.
* **"let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.":** This is the ultimate test and the core of the divine challenge. God, knowing the impotence of these idols, dares Israel to put their trust in them for deliverance from their severe "tribulation." This statement is not a genuine permission but a biting rhetorical question, implicitly asking, "Can these powerless idols truly save you from the very distress that your worship of them has brought upon you?" It forces Israel to confront the stark reality of their situation and the absolute inability of their chosen gods to provide salvation or relief.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 10:14 is rich in **Irony** and **Sarcasm**. The Lord's command to "Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen" is deeply ironic, as He knows these gods are powerless and deaf. The sarcasm is palpable in the challenge to "let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation," highlighting the absurdity of seeking help from non-existent or impotent deities. This rhetorical strategy serves to expose the foolishness of Israel's idolatry and to provoke a crisis of faith that might lead to genuine repentance. The verse also employs a form of **Rhetorical Question** (though stated as a command), implicitly asking: "Will these gods truly deliver you?" The answer, of course, is a resounding no, forcing Israel to acknowledge the unique power and sovereignty of the Lord.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 10:14 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God, the futility of idolatry, and the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. It powerfully reiterates the first commandment, emphasizing that the Lord alone is God and that any deviation from exclusive worship of Him leads to spiritual and practical emptiness. God's "jealousy" (a holy zeal for His own honor and the well-being of His people) is evident here; He will not share His glory with idols. The passage underscores that true deliverance comes only from the one true God, and any attempt to find salvation or comfort in created things or false deities will inevitably lead to deeper "tribulation." This divine rebuke is not an act of abandonment but a severe pedagogical tool, designed to strip away Israel's illusions and drive them back to the only source of life and salvation.

* [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")
* [Deuteronomy 32:37-38](/deuteronomy/32-37 "Deuteronomy 32:37-38 - God's Challenge to Idols")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 10:14 is a timeless mirror reflecting humanity's perennial struggle with idolatry. While modern idols may not be carved images of Baal or Ashtoreth, they are equally potent and equally powerless to save. Anything we "choose" to put before God—be it wealth, career, relationships, comfort, self-image, political ideologies, or even our own abilities and wisdom—becomes a functional god. This verse challenges us to critically examine where our ultimate trust and hope truly lie, especially when "tribulation" strikes. When life's storms hit, do we instinctively turn to our carefully constructed human systems, our financial security, our social networks, or our own strength? Or do we, like Israel, eventually realize the futility of these false saviors and cry out to the only One who can genuinely deliver? This passage calls us to radical honesty about our allegiances and a profound repentance that involves actively putting away anything that competes for God's rightful place in our lives, turning back to Him as our sole source of salvation and sustenance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "gods" have I "chosen" in my life, perhaps subtly, to rely on for security, identity, or comfort instead of God?**
* **How do I respond in times of "tribulation"? Do I first turn to worldly solutions or to the Lord?**
* **In what ways does my life demonstrate a practical belief in the powerlessness of anything apart from God to truly deliver me?**
* **What specific steps can I take to "put away" any functional idols in my life and recommit to serving the Lord alone?**

### FAQ
**Why does God respond so harshly to Israel's cry for help?**

Answer: God's seemingly harsh response is not an act of abandonment but a profound pedagogical tool designed to expose the futility of Israel's idolatry and to provoke genuine repentance. For eighteen years, Israel had suffered under oppression due to their deliberate choice to abandon the Lord and serve foreign gods. When they finally cried out, God's challenge in [Judges 10:14](/judges/10-14 "Judges 10:14 - Go Cry to Your Chosen Gods") forces them to confront the logical consequences of their choices. It's a divine "tough love" intended to strip away their illusions about the power of idols and to highlight His unique sovereignty as the only true Deliverer. This sharp rebuke ultimately leads to their repentance in [Judges 10:16](/judges/10-16 "Judges 10:16 - Israel's Repentance"), demonstrating its effectiveness.

**Does this verse suggest God might abandon His people when they sin?**

Answer: No, this verse does not suggest God abandons His people permanently. Instead, it illustrates God's righteous anger and His commitment to His covenant. While He allows the natural consequences of sin (like oppression) to occur, and even withdraws His immediate favor, His ultimate goal is always restoration through repentance. His challenge in [Judges 10:14](/judges/10-14 "Judges 10:14 - God's Rebuke to Israel") is a call to awaken them to their spiritual adultery and to remind them that true help comes only from Him. The narrative immediately following this verse shows that when Israel did repent and put away their foreign gods, God's "soul was grieved for the misery of Israel" ([Judges 10:16](/judges/10-16 "Judges 10:16 - God's Grief Over Israel's Misery")), and He raised up Jephthah to deliver them. This demonstrates His enduring compassion and faithfulness, even in the face of His people's repeated unfaithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 10:14, with its scathing rebuke of idolatry and its challenge to false gods, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and exclusive deliverance found only in Jesus Christ. The impotence of Israel's "chosen gods" in their "tribulation" highlights the universal human condition: we are prone to seek salvation and comfort in things other than the one true God, only to find them utterly wanting in our deepest distress. This verse points to the profound truth that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation Through Christ Alone")). Jesus is the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), accomplishing what no idol or human effort ever could. He is the one who truly bears our tribulation, inviting all who are weary and heavy-laden to find rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). The repentance Israel experienced in Judges 10:16, turning from idols to the Lord, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant, where believers are called to turn from all forms of idolatry and worship God in spirit and truth through Christ ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Jesus is the only deliverer from the ultimate tribulation of sin and death, offering true and lasting salvation that no "chosen god" could ever provide.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 2:28

But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for [according to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

Deuteronomy 32:37

And he shall say, Where [are] their gods, [their] rock in whom they trusted,

Deuteronomy 32:38

Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, [and] drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, [and] be your protection.

Deuteronomy 32:26

¶ I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

Deuteronomy 32:28

For they [are] a nation void of counsel, neither [is there any] understanding in them.

2 Kings 3:13

And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

Proverbs 1:25

But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: