Judges - Chapter 10

In this chapter the people are sinning and following other Gods, and God says that he will not save them.  But then God has mercy on them and can bear their misery no longer.  The people gather together to resist the Ammonites, but they recognise that they need a leader to save them.

This is the position of the world at the time of the story of the birth of Jesus.  The world is sinful and needs a saviour.  And God has mercy on the world and responds to their need for a leader who will save them.