Judg 6:2 | MHM | STEP | v. 2-5 : God allowed the Midianites to defeat Israel as punishment for their sin (Judges 6:2 ). The Midianites were not strong or noble; they were like bands of robbers, and Israel had already beaten them long ago (Numbers 31:7 ). But now, because Israel had left God, even this weak enemy became a serious threat. The Midianites came in great numbers like a swarm of locusts, stealing and ruining everything. The Israelites became so afraid that they hid in caves and dens instead of fighting back. Their hearts were weak because they had turned away from God. The land was ruined, and the people were left with nothing, just as the prophets had warned would happen (Leviticus 26:21,24; Deuteronomy 32:21 ). When God is not with a nation, even the smallest enemy can defeat them. The Israelites lost their crops and animals because enemy bands would come during harvest and take everything (Judges 6:3-5 ). This was God’s just punishment, because they had used their blessings to worship idols instead of honoring God (Hosea 2:8-9 ).

‏ Judges 6:2

v. 2-5: God allowed the Midianites to defeat Israel as punishment for their sin (Judges 6:2 ^a). The Midianites were not strong or noble; they were like bands of robbers, and Israel had already beaten them long ago (Numbers 31:7 ^b). But now, because Israel had left God, even this weak enemy became a serious threat. The Midianites came in great numbers like a swarm of locusts, stealing and ruining everything. The Israelites became so afraid that they hid in caves and dens instead of fighting back. Their hearts were weak because they had turned away from God. The land was ruined, and the people were left with nothing, just as the prophets had warned would happen (Leviticus 26:21,24; Deuteronomy 32:21 ^c). When God is not with a nation, even the smallest enemy can defeat them. The Israelites lost their crops and animals because enemy bands would come during harvest and take everything (Judges 6:3-5 ^d). This was God’s just punishment, because they had used their blessings to worship idols instead of honoring God (Hosea 2:8-9 ^e).