And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the Lord carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger: (2 Kings 17:11)
God is not provoked as man is provoked (see on ch. 13:3). He hates sin, but He loves the sinner (SC 59). The judgments, terrible as they were, had a wise and merciful purpose (PK 292).