Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

Until the generation who had received instruction from Joshua
died out, idolatry made little progress, but the parents prepared the
way for the apostasy of their children. The simple habits of the
Hebrews had strengthened them with physical health, but
association with the heathen led to indulgence of appetite and
passion, which gradually weakened the mental and moral powers.
By their sins the Israelites were separated from God, and they could
no longer overcome their enemies. So they came to be dominated by
the very nations that they could have conquered.
"They forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought
them out of the land of Egypt." "They provoked Him to anger with
their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their carved
images." Therefore the Lord "forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the
tent He had placed among men, and delivered His strength into
captivity, and His glory into the enemy's hand." (Judges 2:12; Psalm
78:58, 60, 61).
Yet God did not completely forsake His people. There was
always a remnant who were true to Jehovah, and from time to time
the Lord brought up faithful and courageous men to put down
idolatry and deliver the Israelites from their enemies. But when the
deliverer died and the people were released from his authority, they
would gradually return to their idols. This is the reason for Israel's
story of backsliding and correction, of confession and deliverance,
repeating itself again and again.
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