How could Israel turn to idols after experiencing God's miracles?
Israel turned to idols because they failed to destroy the Canaanite people as God instructed. They became soft-hearted, spared them, and used them for servants. Those pagan Canaanites then influenced Israel and drew them into idolatry, even though Israel had witnessed Jehovah's miracle-working power in their midst.
Les explains that this is hard to comprehend: Israel had the manifestation and miracle-working power of Jehovah God in their midst, yet they turned to pagan idols. During the period of the Judges, about 300 to 400 years, they occupied Canaan but did not destroy the Canaanite people as God instructed. They became soft-hearted, thought they could use them as servants, and left off destroying them. Just as God had promised, the Canaanite people influenced Israel and took them right into idolatry. Their history became a roller coaster, reaching spiritual heights under a good judge, a ruler under God in a God-centered government.