What happens if you don’t learn from your mistakes?
from my experience, usually nothing good…
'Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord . They served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites and the gods of the Philistines. And because the Israelites forsook the Lord and no longer served him, he became angry with them. He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites, who that year shattered and crushed them. For eighteen years they oppressed all the Israelites on the east side of the Jordan in Gilead, the land of the Amorites. The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin and Ephraim; Israel was in great distress. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord , “We have sinned against you, forsaking our God and serving the Baals.”
The Lord replied, “When the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you and you cried to me for help, did I not save you from their hands? But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!”
But the Israelites said to the Lord , “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.” Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord . And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer. ' Judges 10:6-16
'“Then the Lord , the God of Israel, gave Sihon and his whole army into Israel’s hands, and they defeated them. Israel took over all the land of the Amorites who lived in that country, capturing all of it from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the desert to the Jordan.
Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands. He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon. ' Judges 11:21-22,32-33
over the course of the 300 years in exile, the israelites fell away many times from believing God, seeing all that He had done for them (saving them from death and destruction), to falling away and following other man-made gods - completely forgetting Him, The Creator of Heaven and earth.
like most parent-child relationships, if you (the child) oppose your parent(s) once or even twice, apologize, make amends, and live out your life rightly after that, mom and/or dad or guardian are generally going to forgive you. should you keep doing the same damn, stupid thing that got you in trouble the first time, you lose all credibility and grounds for forgiveness. your parents will still love you, just not give you the benefit of the doubt nor leeway you once had.
time after time after time, the israelites were rescued from God, only for them to forget His goodness and mercy after several years (or the next generation). they chose the despicable and vile things that offended God, indulged in activities that were not in alignment with what their parents and the generations before taught - at least those who remembered Jehovah and followed Him.
although the people asked for help many times before and got it, after a while God was not having any of it and said ‘nope’ you’re on your own. during those times they suffered many defeats in battles and they struggled and struggled until they came to their senses, begged God for mercy again, and He couldn’t take it any longer. like a parent who gives in after hearing their child cry and cry and cry until they give in, He finally relented - this was due to His love for us.
after they did, changed their ways, honored God once again, He gave them victory over their enemies once again. blessing them and generations (those that kept true and followed God) after that. it just goes to show, that it is best if you learn from your mistake.
learning is a gift, even if pain is the teacher ~james garner~
dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you do love us so much that even when we make mistakes, over and over, you are still quick to hear our cries and forgive us of our transgressions. not that we deserve it, only because that is your character. i love you, we love you Lord. draw us near to you, always. in Jesus’ name i pray, amen!