Judges 6:10

And I said unto you, I [am] the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.

And I said {H559} unto you, I am the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}; fear {H3372} not the gods {H430} of the Amorites {H567}, in whose land {H776} ye dwell {H3427}: but ye have not obeyed {H8085} my voice {H6963}.

And I said to you: "I am ADONAI your God; you are not to be afraid of the gods of the Emori in whose land you are living." But you paid no attention to what I said!'"

And I said to you: β€˜I am the LORD your God. You must not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.’ But you did not obey Me.”

and I said unto you, I am Jehovah your God; ye shall not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell. But ye have not hearkened unto my voice.

Commentary

Judges 6:10 delivers a stark reminder of Israel's repeated failure to uphold their covenant with God, spoken through an unnamed prophet during a period of intense oppression by the Midianites. This verse encapsulates the core reason for Israel's suffering: their spiritual apostasy.

Context

At this point in the Book of Judges, Israel has once again "done evil in the sight of the LORD" (Judges 6:1), leading to seven years of harsh Midianite dominion. The prophet's message serves as a divine indictment, explaining that their distress is a direct consequence of their disobedience. God reminds them of His explicit commands given through Moses and Joshua, particularly the prohibition against worshipping the deities of the Canaanite nations among whom they settled. The mention of the "Amorites" here represents the broader indigenous inhabitants whose idolatrous practices were a constant temptation to Israel.

Key Themes

  • Disobedience and Idolatry: The central theme is Israel's rejection of the one true God, YHWH, in favor of the local pagan deities. This was a direct violation of the First Commandment.
  • God's Covenant Faithfulness: Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God continues to send prophets to warn them and call them back to Himself, demonstrating His enduring patience and commitment to His covenant people.
  • Consequences of Sin: The Midianite oppression is presented not as random misfortune but as the direct, divinely ordained consequence of their spiritual compromise and failure to obey God's voice.
  • Fear of God vs. Fear of Idols: The command "fear not the gods of the Amorites" highlights the exclusive devotion God demands. To fear these false gods or their practitioners was to diminish the fear and reverence due to the Almighty.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I am the LORD your God" uses the divine name YHWH (Χ™Χ”Χ•Χ”), often rendered as "LORD" in KJV. This emphasizes God's self-existence, covenant relationship, and absolute authority, distinguishing Him sharply from the impotent "gods of the Amorites." The Amorites (ΧΦ±ΧžΦΉΧ¨Φ΄Χ™ - 'Emori) were one of the prominent pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan, whose polytheistic practices and fertility cults posed a constant spiritual threat to Israel's purity of worship. The command to "fear not" implies not only to not be afraid of their power but also not to revere or worship them.

Practical Application

Judges 6:10 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual syncretism and compromise. For believers today, it underscores the importance of:

  • Exclusive Devotion: Our allegiance must be solely to the Lord God, resisting the temptations to compromise our faith with worldly values, cultural idols, or anything that seeks to usurp God's place in our lives.
  • Heeding God's Voice: Just as Israel was called to obey God's voice, we are called to listen to and apply His Word in our daily walk. Disobedience often leads to negative consequences, both spiritual and practical.
  • Understanding Consequences: This verse reminds us that spiritual choices have real-world ramifications. While God is gracious, continued disobedience can lead to difficult circumstances, intended to draw us back to Him.
  • Trusting God Alone: We are called to fear (revere) the Lord alone, not the fleeting influences or perceived powers of the world around us, much like Israel was told not to fear the gods of the Amorites. This trust allows us to stand firm in our faith.

This prophetic message sets the stage for God's call to Gideon, demonstrating that even in their deep spiritual decline, God was preparing a way for deliverance, contingent on their repentance and return to Him.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 10:2

    Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

  • Jeremiah 9:13

    And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;

  • 2 Kings 17:35

    With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:

  • 2 Kings 17:39

    But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.

  • Jeremiah 43:4

    So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.

  • Exodus 20:2

    I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

  • Exodus 20:3

    Thou shalt have no other gods before me.