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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Judges 6:1–6. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We have here, I. Israel's sin renewed: They did evil in the sight of the Lord, Jdg 6:1. The burnt child dreads the fire; yet this perverse unthinking people, that had so often smarted sorely for their idolatry, upon a little respite of God's judgments return to it again. This people hath a revolting rebellious heart, not kept in awe by the terror of God's judgments, nor engaged in honour and gratitude by the great things he had done for them to keep themselves in his love. The providence of God will not change the hearts and lives of sinners.
II.Israel's troubles repeated.
This would follow of course; let all that sin expect to suffer; let all that return to folly expect to return to misery. With the froward God will show himself froward (Psa 18:26), and will walk contrary to those that walk contrary to him, Lev 26:21, Lev 26:24. Now as to this trouble,
1.It arose from a very despicable enemy. God delivered them into the hand of Midian (Jdg 6:1), not Midian in the south where Jethro lived, but Midian in the east that joined to Moab (Num 22:4), a people that all men despised as uncultivated and unintelligent; hence we read not here of any king, lord, or general, that they had, but the force with which they destroyed Israel was an undisciplined mob; and, which made it the more grievous, they were a people that Israel had formerly subdued, and in a manner destroyed (see Num 31:7), and yet by this time (nearly 200 years after) the poor remains of them were so multiplied, and so magnified, that they were capable of being made a very severe scourge to Israel. Thus God moved them to jealousy with those who were not a people, even a foolish nation, Deu 32:21. The meanest creature will serve to chastise those that have made the great Creator their enemy. And, when those we are authorized to rule prove rebellious and disobedient to us, it concerns us to enquire whether we have not been so to our sovereign Ruler.
2.It arose to a very formidable height (Jdg 6:2): The hand of Midian prevailed, purely by their multitude. God had promised to increase Israel as the sand on the sea shore; but their sin stopped their growth and diminished them, and then their enemies, though otherwise every way inferior to them, overpowered them with numbers. They came upon them as grasshoppers for multitude (Jdg 6:5), not in a regular army to engage them in the field, but in a confused swarm to plunder the country, quarter themselves upon it, and enrich themselves with its spoils - bands of robbers, and no better. And sinful Israel, being separated by sin from God, had not spirit to make head against them. Observe the wretched havoc that these Midianites made with their bands of plunderers in Israel. Here we have,
(1.)The Israelites imprisoned, or rather imprisoning themselves, in dens and caves, Jdg 6:2. This was owing purely to their own timorousness and faint-heartedness, that they would rather fly than fight; it was the effect of a guilty conscience, which made them tremble at the shaking of a leaf, and the just punishment of their apostasy from God, who thus fought against them with those very terrors with which he would otherwise have fought for them. Had it not been for this, we cannot but think Israel a match for the Midianites, and able enough to make head against them; but the heart that departs from God is lost, not only to that which is good, but to that which is great. Sin dispirits men, and makes them sneak into dens and caves. The day will come when chief captains and mighty men will call in vain to rocks and mountains to hide them.
(2.)The Israelites impoverished, greatly impoverished, Jdg 6:6. The Midianites and the other children of the east that joined with them to live by spoil and rapine (as long before the Sabeans and Chaldeans did that plundered Job, free-booters) made frequent incursions into the land of Canaan. This fruitful land was a great temptation to them; and the sloth and luxury into which the Israelites had sunk by forty years' rest made them and their substance an easy prey to them. They came up against them (Jdg 6:3), pitched their camps among them (Jdg 6:4), and brought their cattle with them, particularly camels innumerable (Jdg 6:5), not a flying party to make a sally upon them and be gone presently, but they resolved to force their way, and penetrated through the heart of the country as far as Gaza on the western side, Jdg 6:4. They let the Israelites alone to sow their ground, but towards harvest they came and seized all, and ate up and destroyed it, both grass and corn, and when they went away took with them the sheep and oxen, so that in short they left no sustenance for Israel, except what was privately taken by the rightful owners into the dens and caves. Now here we may see,
[1.]The justice of God in the punishment of their sin. They had neglected to honour God with their substance in tithes and offerings, and had prepared that for Baal with which God should have been served, and now God justly sends an enemy to take it away in the season thereof, Hos 2:8, Hos 2:9.
[2.]The consequence of God's departure from a people; when he goes all good goes and all mischiefs break in. When Israel kept in with God, they reaped what others sowed (Jos 24:13; Psa 105:44); but now that God had forsaken them others reaped what they sowed. Let us take occasion from this to bless God for our national peace and tranquillity, that we eat the labour of our hands.
III.Israel's sense of God's hand revived at last.
Seven years, year after year, did the Midianites make these inroads upon them, each we may suppose worse than the other (Jdg 6:1), until at last, all other succours failing, Israel cried unto the Lord (Jdg 6:6), for crying to Baal ruined them, and would not help them. When God judges he will overcome; and sinners shall be made either to bend or break before him.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
The “land was at rest” as long as sin was at rest. But the land is said to be disturbed, meaning those who inhabit the land, when the souls of the people began to move and to dislocate in sin. This is why the text was written this way: “The land was at rest for forty years. And the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years. And Midian ruled over Israel.” As long as there was justice in the land, therefore, that is, in those who inhabited the land, the land is said to be at rest. But when iniquity arose and “they did evil in the sight of the Lord,” then the Lord is said to have delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years. Nor are the Midianites said to have ruled over the people of the Lord as long as they observed the commandments of the Lord. But when they began to neglect the divine mandates, the hand of their enemy became stronger and more powerful against them. Yet, whereas their bodily enemies arose and strengthened against them when the first people failed, against us, on the other hand, who are called the spiritual Israel, a spiritual enemy will arise and the hand of demons will be strengthened when we neglect the commandments of God and hold the precepts of Christ in contempt, and we will be delivered to our own enemies when we forsake God’s grace.
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Summary
Judges 6:1 initiates the fifth major cycle of apostasy and oppression within the book of Judges, succinctly stating that the Israelites' persistent "evil in the sight of the LORD" directly resulted in their subjugation under the Midianites for a period of seven years. This verse not only highlights Israel's recurring spiritual unfaithfulness but also underscores God's sovereign and disciplinary response, thereby meticulously setting the stage for the dramatic narrative of Gideon's subsequent call and the eventual deliverance of Israel.
Context
Literary Context
Judges 6:1 immediately follows the triumphant Song of Deborah and Barak in Judges 5, which celebrates a decisive victory over the Canaanites and a subsequent forty-year period of peace (Judges 5:31). This abrupt transition from national peace and prosperity to renewed apostasy and severe oppression highlights the cyclical nature of Israel's relationship with God as meticulously presented throughout the book of Judges. The verse serves as the narrative hinge, initiating the next major "apostasy-oppression-cry-deliverance" cycle, a foundational literary pattern established early in the book, particularly in Judges 2:11-19. It precisely sets the stage for the call of Gideon, one of Israel's most prominent judges, and his subsequent confrontation with the formidable Midianite threat, marking the beginning of a new narrative arc.
Historical & Cultural Context
Following the initial conquest of Canaan, Israel often struggled to fully dispossess the inhabitants and eradicate their idolatrous practices, as explicitly commanded by God. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other "children of the east," were formidable nomadic desert tribes, descendants of Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2), who inhabited the regions east and south of Israel. Their oppression was characterized by devastating annual raids during the crucial harvest season. They would sweep into Israel's fertile lands, destroying crops, seizing livestock, and leaving the land desolate (Judges 6:3-6). This was not a military occupation but an economic and psychological warfare tactic designed to impoverish and terrorize the Israelites, forcing them to hide in caves and strongholds. This type of nomadic raiding was a common threat in the ancient Near East, and Israel's vulnerability underscored their failure to trust in God for protection and provision, leaving them exposed to such devastating incursions.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully reiterates several pervasive themes within the book of Judges. Firstly, the Cycle of Sin and Consequences is starkly evident: Israel's "evil in the sight of the LORD" directly precipitates divine judgment in the form of foreign oppression. This phrase, or similar variations, is a recurring indictment throughout Judges, indicating a deliberate and persistent turning away from God's covenant, as seen in Judges 2:11. Secondly, the theme of Divine Discipline is central; the text explicitly states, "the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian." This is not random misfortune but God's sovereign, purposeful action to chastise His people and call them back to Himself, a principle articulated in Proverbs 3:11-12 and later affirmed in Hebrews 12:6. Finally, the verse foreshadows the Need for a Deliverer, setting the stage for Israel's eventual cry for help (Judges 6:7) and God's raising of Gideon, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness even in the face of His people's unfaithfulness.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H7451) signifies not merely a mistake or misfortune, but a deliberate moral and spiritual transgression against God's revealed will and covenant. In the context of Judges, it specifically refers to Israel's abandonment of Yahweh (H3068) for the worship of Baal and other Canaanite deities, a direct violation of the first commandment and the covenant made at Sinai. It encompasses idolatry, injustice, and disobedience to the Mosaic Law, emphasizing a conscious choice to act contrary to God's holiness, resulting in "bad" or "wicked" outcomes.
The verb (H5414) means "to give," "to place," or "to deliver." Here, it explicitly attributes the Midianite (H4080) oppression to the Lord's active agency. It underscores God's sovereignty over history and His direct involvement in the affairs of His people, even when that involvement takes the form of disciplinary judgment. This is a profound theological statement, not merely a historical observation, emphasizing that the suffering was a consequence divinely ordained to achieve a redemptive purpose, as God "gave" them over.
This primitive word (H3027) refers to the "hand" as the open one, indicating power, means, or dominion. In this context, "into the hand of Midian" signifies that God placed Israel under the power or dominion of the Midianites. It emphasizes the complete subjugation and control the Midianites exerted over Israel, highlighting their superior force and the Israelites' helplessness, a direct result of God's sovereign act of delivering them.
Verse Breakdown
"And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD"
This clause establishes the foundational cause of the ensuing oppression. It signifies a profound moral and spiritual failure, a turning away from the covenant relationship with Yahweh. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" emphasizes that their actions were not hidden from God; He was fully aware of their disobedience and idolatry, and it provoked His righteous and necessary response. This recurring indictment throughout Judges highlights Israel's chronic unfaithfulness and spiritual rebellion, particularly their abandonment of Yahweh for foreign gods.
"and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian"
This clause reveals the divine response to Israel's sin. It attributes the oppression directly to God's sovereign hand. The Midianites are not merely an external threat but instruments of divine discipline. God "gave" or "handed over" His people to their enemies, indicating His active and purposeful role in allowing the suffering as a means to bring them to repentance and restore their broken relationship with Him. This underscores God's justice and His commitment to His covenant, even when it involves painful chastisement.
"seven years"
This specifies the duration of the Midianite oppression. The number seven often carries symbolic weight in biblical narratives, frequently indicating completeness, perfection, or a divinely appointed period. Here, it denotes a significant, prolonged period of intense suffering—long enough to cause deep distress and bring Israel to a point of desperation and a cry for deliverance, yet not so long as to annihilate them. It signifies a full, divinely appointed period of chastisement designed to achieve a specific spiritual outcome: repentance and a renewed reliance on God.
Literary Devices
Judges 6:1 employs several key literary devices that enhance its theological message. The most prominent is Repetition, specifically the recurring "cycle" motif that defines the book of Judges: Israel's apostasy, divine judgment (oppression), Israel's cry for help, and God's raising of a deliverer. This verse initiates the next iteration of this pattern, reinforcing the book's overarching message about Israel's spiritual instability and God's persistent faithfulness. Foreshadowing is also evident, as the stated duration of "seven years" and the introduction of the Midianite threat immediately set the stage for Gideon's narrative, hinting at the coming struggle and eventual deliverance. Furthermore, the phrase "did evil in the sight of the LORD" functions as a Theological Statement, acting as a concise summary and divine judgment of Israel's spiritual condition, directly linking their actions to divinely orchestrated consequences. The naming of "Midian" also serves as a form of Metonymy, where the name of the oppressor stands for the entire experience of suffering, economic devastation, and terror inflicted upon Israel by these nomadic raiders.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Judges 6:1 profoundly illustrates the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where obedience brings blessing and disobedience invites discipline. It underscores the biblical principle that God is sovereign over nations and uses even hostile powers as instruments of His righteous judgment and redemptive purposes. This verse is a stark reminder that God's love for His people includes His willingness to allow hardship to draw them back to Himself, preventing them from straying permanently into destructive idolatry. It sets the stage for the recurring theme of God's patience and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, even when His people are faithless. The suffering under Midian was intended to lead Israel to repentance and a renewed reliance on Yahweh, their true King and Deliverer.
Reflection and Application
Judges 6:1 serves as a timeless mirror for the human heart and a profound lesson in divine pedagogy. It reminds us that spiritual complacency and deliberate disobedience to God's revealed will inevitably lead to negative consequences, whether through direct divine discipline or the natural outworking of our choices in a fallen world. For believers today, this verse calls for a sober self-examination of our own "sight of the LORD"—are our actions and attitudes truly pleasing to Him, or are we drifting into spiritual compromise, perhaps through subtle idolatries of comfort, success, or self-reliance? God's allowance of hardship, as seen with Israel, is often a loving, albeit painful, invitation to return to Him, to acknowledge our dependence, and to seek His deliverance. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of continual repentance, vigilance against spiritual apathy, and unwavering trust in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances are challenging. Our response to difficulty should be to turn to the Lord, recognizing His sovereign hand and seeking His redemptive purpose in our lives, rather than hardening our hearts.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What specific "evil" did the children of Israel do that led to this oppression?
While Judges 6:1 itself uses the general phrase "did evil in the sight of the LORD," the broader context of the book, particularly Judges 2:11-13, specifies that Israel's primary sin was idolatry—forsaking Yahweh, the God who delivered them from Egypt, and instead serving Baal and the Ashtoreths, the gods of the surrounding Canaanite peoples. This spiritual unfaithfulness was a direct violation of the first commandment and the covenant God made with them at Sinai, leading to a breakdown of their relationship with God and their societal order. Their evil was a deliberate turning away from the one true God to worship false deities.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Judges 6:1 describes a cycle of sin and judgment under the Old Covenant, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate solution to humanity's pervasive "evil in the sight of the LORD" found in Jesus Christ. Israel's repeated failure to maintain covenant fidelity highlights the deep-seated problem of human sinfulness, a condition that no amount of divine discipline or temporary deliverance could permanently rectify. The need for a deliverer, first met by figures like Gideon, ultimately points to the one true Deliverer, Jesus Christ, who broke the cycle of sin and death not through temporary military victory, but through His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice. Where Israel repeatedly failed to uphold the covenant, Christ perfectly fulfilled all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). His death on the cross was the ultimate divine "delivery" of the Son into the hands of sinful humanity, not as a punishment for His own sin, but as a substitutionary act to bear the judgment for our evil (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through faith in Him, believers are freed from the bondage of sin and its consequences, entering into a new covenant where God's law is written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33) and the Holy Spirit empowers them to live in obedience, breaking the old cycle of rebellion and judgment. The seven years of oppression in Judges, a period of suffering designed to bring repentance, ultimately points to the eternal deliverance and peace offered through the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.