January 6, 2025

Judges 6:1-10  (HCSB)
Midian Oppresses Israel
6 The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord handed them over to Midian seven years, 2 and they oppressed Israel. Because of Midian, the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and the Qedemites came and attacked them. 4 They encamped against them and destroyed the produce of the land, even as far as Gaza. They left nothing for Israel to eat, as well as no sheep, ox or donkey. 5 For the Midianites came with their cattle and their tents like a great swarm of locusts. They and their camels were without number, and they entered the land to waste it. 6 So Israel became poverty-stricken because of Midian, and the Israelites cried out to the Lord. 7 When the Israelites cried out to Him because of Midian, 8 the Lord sent a prophet to them. He said to them, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I brought you out of Egypt and out of the place of slavery. 9 I delivered you from the power of Egypt and the power of all who oppressed you. I drove them out before you and gave you their land. 10 I said to you: I am Yahweh your God. Do not fear the gods of the Amorites whose land you live in. But you did not obey Me.’”

Christine Mullins
The book of Judges takes place after Joshua’s death and is a difficult, unsettled time. There is a common cycle found within this book. Israel deserts God for local gods->they suffer at the hands of the Canaanites->they cry out to God for help->God sends a deliverer->they have peace and eventually go back to worshipping other gods. This is where we find ourselves in Chapter 6. After having peace, v.1 shows how the Israelites went back to doing what was evil in the sight of the Lord.
For 7 years, God allowed them to be oppressed. Eventually, they cried out to the Lord as a last resort instead of being their first resource. God responded by sending a prophet to remind them of His love and His power. While the Israelites thought the Midianites were the problem, it was actually the Israelites. It wasn’t that the Midianites were so strong, it was that Israel was disobedient. It can be human nature to blame others for the problems we cause. Too often we can go through cycles of being independent and then dependent on God. But even if we stray away, God’s love still responds when we cry out.