Conditions in Israel

Judges 6:1–10
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Forty years of rest and the next generation of Hebrews had once more forgotten God and reverted to an easygoing religion that threatened to do away with Israel’s trust in God (v. 1). To punish His people, God sent in warlike tribes from the desert (vv. 2-3). These Bedouins and shepherds who lived in the land of Midian far south of the Dead Sea joined forces with the Amalekites who occupied the area south of Judah. For seven years they swarmed like grasshoppers over Israel, devastating the land and driving the Hebrews into hiding. 

These nomadic people were interested in grain but not in the extensive farming of the Israelites, so the crops were destroyed (v. 4) and the animals were taken away (v.5). A new “secret weapon” was employed in the use of the camel which is the first record of this animal being used in a military campaign and it gave the Midianites and their allies a great advantage. The Midianites took almost everything that belonged to the Israelites, and the Israelites begged the LORD for help (vv. 6-9). When Israel once again called on God to come to their rescue an unnamed prophet scolded them for their disobedience and idolatry (v. 10).

Application

I need to discuss with my family how important it is to always be involved in some avenue of service for the Lord. A life that is all intake and no outlet becomes stagnate like the dead sea. There is a church in Texas where you cannot become a member unless you agree to accept some area of responsibility in the Church family. A sure way for me to backslide in the Christian life is to just become uninvolved.