What is the meaning of Judges 6:6? Israel was greatly impoverished by Midian “Israel was greatly impoverished by Midian” (Judges 6:6) • The term “impoverished” conveys being brought down to utter destitution—exactly what God had warned would follow disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:38–40). • Midian’s strategy (Judges 6:1–5): – Seasonal raids stripped Israel of crops, livestock, and security. – Israel resorted to hiding in mountain clefts and caves, fulfilling Leviticus 26:17’s prediction that enemies would “rule over you.” • God’s covenant faithfulness is evident even in discipline; the oppression is a corrective measure, not abandonment (Hebrews 12:6, Revelation 3:19). • Similar cycles of oppression appear earlier in Judges (Judges 3:7–9; Judges 4:1–3), underscoring that repeated sin leads to repeated hardship. The Israelites cried out to the LORD “…and the Israelites cried out to the LORD.” (Judges 6:6) • Their cry marks the turning point of repentance—moving from silent suffering to seeking God (Psalm 34:17). • Unlike mere regret, this plea acknowledges dependence on Yahweh alone (Exodus 2:23–25; 2 Chronicles 7:14). • God consistently answers genuine cries for deliverance: – In Egypt (Exodus 3:7–8). – During Sisera’s tyranny (Judges 4:3). – In David’s life (Psalm 18:6). • The pattern assures believers today that repentance opens the door to restoration (1 John 1:9). summary Judges 6:6 records the nadir of Israel’s physical and spiritual state: emptied by Midianite oppression yet finally humbled enough to seek God. The verse reminds us that divine discipline aims to draw hearts back to the LORD, and sincere cries to Him never fall on deaf ears. |
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