How is faithless Israel more righteous than treacherous Judah?

The shocking conclusion of the comparison between faithless Israel and treacherous Judah is that Israel has been more righteous than Judah. Northern Israel could plead that she had no example to follow. Judah, however, had seen the example of Israel in the north and the consequences of her behaviour but had chosen to ignore it all and continue in her unfaithfulness.

Judah’s behaviour was more unrighteous because she had sinned against greater light. She not only had the example of Israel in the north, but she had the temple in Jerusalem and the worship that went with it. Despite all of this she continued in her unfaithfulness. Even worse, she had pretended to return to the Lord, but her repentance was insincere and not real (Mackay, page 186).¹