The Israelites panic. They always relied on God as a fallback in time of need, the Covenant as a sort of Insurance Policy of Last Resort.
1 But now that he has said he will save them no more, they intensify their earlier confession. We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please deliver us this day.
They even put away their foreign gods, and they serve the Lord again. It is their most impressive show of repentance in the whole book! It appears to be completely submissive. But is it real? Their request that God deliver them this day
prevents us from being enthusiastic. We really are sorry; now, please, Lord, do whatever you want, but just get us out of this mess.
These are not the words of broken-hearted sinners.
15 And the people of Israel said to the LORD, “We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please deliver us this day.”