Whenever the Israelites would plant their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them, Whenever the Israelites planted their cropsThis phrase sets the stage for the cyclical oppression faced by the Israelites during the time of the Judges. The act of planting crops signifies a period of hope and expectation for a harvest, which is essential for survival. In the context of the Judges, this period is marked by the Israelites' disobedience to God, leading to their oppression by surrounding nations. The agricultural cycle is a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God for provision, as seen in Deuteronomy 11:13-17, where obedience to God is linked to agricultural prosperity. the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east
The Midianites and Amalekites were nomadic tribes known for their raids and warfare tactics. The Midianites, descendants of Abraham through Keturah, had previously been defeated by Moses (Numbers 31), yet they reappear as oppressors due to Israel's disobedience. The Amalekites, descendants of Esau, were long-standing enemies of Israel, first attacking them in Exodus 17. The "people of the east" likely refers to other nomadic groups from the Arabian desert region. This coalition of enemies highlights the severity of Israel's plight and the fulfillment of God's warnings about the consequences of disobedience (Judges 2:14-15). would come up and invade them
The invasions were not just military attacks but also economic devastations. The repeated invasions during harvest time were strategic, aimed at crippling Israel's food supply and economy. This tactic of oppression is reminiscent of the curses outlined in Leviticus 26:16 and Deuteronomy 28:33, where foreign nations would consume the produce of the land due to Israel's unfaithfulness. The invasions serve as a physical manifestation of Israel's spiritual state, emphasizing the need for repentance and deliverance. This cycle of oppression and deliverance is a recurring theme in Judges, pointing to the ultimate need for a savior, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who delivers from spiritual bondage. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are experiencing oppression due to their disobedience and idolatry. 2. MidianitesA nomadic people who, along with the Amalekites and others, oppressed Israel by raiding their land and destroying their crops. 3. AmalekitesA group often in conflict with Israel, known for their hostility and attacks on the Israelites. 4. Eastern PeoplesOther nomadic tribes from the east who joined the Midianites and Amalekites in their raids. 5. The Land of IsraelThe Promised Land given to the Israelites, which is now under threat due to their disobedience. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceIsrael's suffering under the Midianites is a direct result of their disobedience to God. This serves as a reminder that turning away from God leads to negative consequences. The Importance of RepentanceThe cycle of sin and oppression in Judges highlights the need for genuine repentance. God is always ready to deliver when His people turn back to Him. God's Sovereignty in TrialsEven in oppression, God is sovereign and uses these situations to draw His people back to Him. Trials can be a means of spiritual growth and renewal. Community Impact of SinThe sin of the Israelites affected the entire community, showing that personal sin can have broader implications for others. Hope in God's DeliveranceDespite Israel's repeated failures, God raises up deliverers. This points to the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the oppression by the Midianites reflect the consequences outlined in Deuteronomy 28 for disobedience? 2. In what ways can we see the cycle of sin and redemption in our own lives, and how can we break free from it? 3. How does understanding the historical enmity between Israel and the Amalekites deepen our understanding of Judges 6:3? 4. What steps can we take to ensure that our personal sins do not negatively impact our community or family? 5. How can we find hope and assurance in God's deliverance during times of personal or communal trials? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, which contextualizes why Israel is suffering under foreign oppression. Exodus 17The Amalekites' first attack on Israel, showing a long-standing enmity between the two peoples. Judges 2Provides background on Israel's cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, which is the context for Judges 6. 1 Samuel 15God's command to Saul to destroy the Amalekites, highlighting the ongoing conflict and God's judgment on them. Psalm 106A reflection on Israel's repeated disobedience and God's mercy, relevant to understanding the cycle of sin and redemption. People Abiezer, Abiezrites, Amalek, Amalekites, Amorites, Asher, Egyptians, Ephah, Gideon, Israelites, Jerubbaal, Jezreel, Joash, Manasseh, Midianites, Naphtali, Ophrah, ZebulunPlaces Egypt, Gaza, Jezreel Valley, Jordan River, Midian, OphrahTopics Amalek, Amalekites, Amal'ekites, Attack, Crops, East, Eastern, Grain, Invaded, Israelites, Israel's, Midian, Midianites, Mid'ianites, Peoples, Planted, Seed, Sons, Sowed, Sown, Whenever, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 6:3 5427 nomads Judges 6:1-3 5607 warfare, examples Judges 6:1-6 4823 famine, physical
8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah Judges 6:3-4 4430 crops Judges 6:3-5 5354 invasions Library Gideon's Altar
'Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah- shalom [God is peace].'--JUDGES vi. 24. I need not tell over again, less vividly, the picturesque story in this chapter, of the simple husbandman up in the hills, engaged furtively in threshing out a little wheat in some hollow in the rock where he might hide it from the keen eyes of the oppressors; and of how the angel of the Lord, unrecognised at first, appeared to him; and gradually there dawned upon his mind the suspicion …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGideon's Fleece
'Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as Thou hast said.'-- JUDGES vi. 37. The decisive moment had come when Gideon, with his hastily gathered raw levies, was about to plunge down to the plain to face immensely superior forces trained to warfare. No wonder that the equally untrained leader's heart heat faster. Many a soldier, who will be steadfastly …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Jehovam-Shalem, the Lord Send Peace. Judg 6:24
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John Newton—Olney Hymns Whether it is a Sin to Tempt God?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is not a sin to tempt God. For God has not commanded sin. Yet He has commanded men to try, which is the same as to tempt, Him: for it is written (Malach. 3:10): "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in My house; and try Me in this, saith the Lord, if I open not unto you the flood-gates of heaven." Therefore it seems not to be a sin to tempt God. Objection 2: Further, a man is tempted not only in order to test his knowledge and his power, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will, and Miserably Enslaved.
1. Connection of the previous with the four following chapters. In order to lay a proper foundation for the discussion of free will, two obstacles in the way to be removed--viz. sloth and pride. The basis and sum of the whole discussion. The solid structure of this basis, and a clear demonstration of it by the argument a majori ad minus. Also from the inconveniences and absurdities arising from the obstacle of pride. 2. The second part of the chapter containing the opinions of others. 1. The opinions …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in Scripture, from the Foundation of the World.
1. Scripture, in teaching that the essence of God is immense and spiritual, refutes not only idolaters and the foolish wisdom of the world, but also the Manichees and Anthropomorphites. These latter briefly refuted. 2. In this one essence are three persons, yet so that neither is there a triple God, nor is the simple essence of God divided. Meaning of the word Person in this discussion. Three hypostases in God, or the essence of God. 3. Objection of those who, in this discussion, reject the use of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Of the Sacraments.
1. Of the sacraments in general. A sacrament defined. 2. Meaning of the word sacrament. 3. Definition explained. Why God seals his promises to us by sacraments. 4. The word which ought to accompany the element, that the sacrament may be complete. 5. Error of those who attempt to separate the word, or promise of God, from the element. 6. Why sacraments are called Signs of the Covenant. 7. They are such signs, though the wicked should receive them, but are signs of grace only to believers. 8. Objections …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Doctrine of God
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: (Vs. Atheism). 1. ASSUMED BY THE SCRIPTURES. 2. PROOFS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. a) Universal belief in the Existence of God. b) Cosmological:--Argument from Cause. c) Teleological:--Argument from Design. d) Ontological:--Argument from Being. e) Anthropological:--Moral Argument. f) Argument from Congruity. g) Argument from Scripture. II. THE NATURE OF GOD: (Vs. Agnosticism) 1. THE SPIRITUALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Materialism). 2. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Pantheism). 3. THE UNITY …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 6:3 NIVJudges 6:3 NLTJudges 6:3 ESVJudges 6:3 NASBJudges 6:3 KJV
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