The Lord deals with his people in divine grace, without any hint of preceding repentance on their part. His grace is simply astonishing! In this book Yahweh’s actions will not typically be bound to any mechanical formula of blessing and or retribution, based upon what human beings earn by their actions. Rather he intervenes on Israel’s behalf solely on the basis of his compassion; the scene of Israelite distress moves the divine patron to action.¹