Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD;This phrase indicates a recurring cycle of disobedience among the Israelites, a theme prevalent throughout the Book of Judges. The term "again" suggests a pattern of sin, repentance, and deliverance. The "evil" refers to idolatry and abandoning the covenant with God, as seen in previous chapters (
Judges 2:11-19). The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" emphasizes God's omniscience and the moral standard by which He judges His people. This cycle reflects the Israelites' struggle to remain faithful without strong leadership, highlighting the need for a righteous king, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.
so He delivered them into the hand of Midian
The "hand of Midian" refers to the oppressive control and dominance the Midianites exerted over Israel. Historically, the Midianites were nomadic tribes descended from Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). Their oppression is a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience, illustrating the principle that sin leads to bondage. This deliverance into enemy hands serves as divine discipline intended to bring Israel to repentance. The Midianites' oppression is characterized by raids and destruction of crops, leading to severe economic hardship (Judges 6:3-5).
for seven years,
The number seven often symbolizes completeness or divine perfection in the Bible. Here, it signifies a complete period of judgment and oppression. The seven-year duration reflects God's patience and the sufficiency of time for Israel to recognize their sin and cry out for deliverance. This period of suffering sets the stage for God to raise up Gideon as a judge and deliverer, prefiguring Christ as the ultimate deliverer who rescues humanity from the bondage of sin.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who repeatedly fall into cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance throughout the Book of Judges.
2.
The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who is just and righteous, allowing consequences for sin but also providing deliverance.
3.
MidianA nomadic people who oppressed Israel as a consequence of their disobedience. Historically, they were descendants of Abraham through Keturah.
4.
Seven YearsThe period of time during which Israel was oppressed by Midian, symbolizing a complete cycle of judgment and a call to repentance.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of DisobedienceIsrael's repeated disobedience led to their oppression. This serves as a reminder that sin has consequences, and turning away from God leads to spiritual and sometimes physical bondage.
God's Sovereignty in DisciplineThe LORD's decision to deliver Israel into the hands of Midian demonstrates His sovereignty and justice. It is a call to recognize God's authority and His right to discipline His people.
The Call to RepentanceThe oppression by Midian was not just punishment but also a call to repentance. In our lives, challenges can be opportunities to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness and guidance.
The Faithfulness of GodDespite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remains faithful. He allows consequences but also provides a way for redemption and deliverance, pointing to His enduring mercy.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Judges 6:1?
2.How does Judges 6:1 illustrate consequences of Israel's disobedience to God?
3.What can we learn about God's patience from Israel's repeated evil actions?
4.How does Judges 6:1 connect with Deuteronomy 28:15 regarding disobedience?
5.In what ways can we avoid repeating Israel's mistakes in our lives?
6.How can we seek God's guidance when facing consequences of our actions?
7.Why did the Israelites repeatedly turn to evil in Judges 6:1 despite God's previous deliverance?
8.How does Judges 6:1 reflect the cyclical nature of sin and redemption in the Bible?
9.What historical evidence supports the oppression of Israelites by Midianites as described in Judges 6:1?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 6?
11.What is the summary of Gideon's story in the Bible?
12.What does the Bible say about "putting out a fleece"?
13.Judges 6:13: Why would Gideon still question God’s presence and past miracles if they were well-known and documented among the Israelites?
14.Isaiah 12:5: How do we reconcile the emphasis on “excellent things” done by God with the historical records of suffering and defeat experienced by the Israelites?What Does Judges 6:1 Mean
Again- The opening word signals a recurring pattern. Israel’s cycle of sin is not an isolated lapse but a repeated offense (Judges 2:18-19;Psalm 78:40-41).
- Scripture portrays history honestly, showing that God’s people can wander more than once, highlighting our need for ongoing dependence on Him (1 Corinthians 10:11-12).
the Israelites- The entire covenant community is in view, not just select individuals (Judges 2:10; 21:25).
- This communal aspect reminds us that obedience or disobedience never happens in a vacuum; it impacts families, tribes, even nations (Deuteronomy 29:18-21).
did evil- “Evil” here is moral rebellion—turning to idols, injustice, and unbelief (Judges 3:7; 10:6).
- God’s standard defines evil; culture or majority opinion does not (Isaiah 5:20;Romans 1:25-28).
in the sight of the LORD- Nothing escapes His notice (Proverbs 15:3;Hebrews 4:13).
- The phrase underscores personal accountability before a holy God; what seems hidden to men is open to Him (Psalm 90:8;1 Samuel 16:7).
so He delivered them- The Lord Himself hands Israel over; Midian is merely the instrument (Judges 2:14;2 Chronicles 24:24).
- Divine discipline is purposeful: to awaken repentance and restore relationship (Hebrews 12:5-11;Revelation 3:19).
into the hand of Midian- Midianites, once distant relatives through Abraham (Genesis 25:1-2), now become oppressors—illustrating how alliances outside God’s purposes can turn oppressive (Numbers 25:16-18;Isaiah 31:1).
- Their tyranny was economic and psychological: they devastated crops and forced Israel into hiding (Judges 6:2-6).
for seven years- Seven often marks completeness; the full measure of discipline was meted out until hearts were ready to cry for deliverance (Leviticus 26:18;Psalm 32:3-5).
- The fixed period shows God’s sovereignty over time and trouble; He sets both the start and the finish of chastening (Daniel 4:35;Acts 17:26).
summaryJudges 6:1 captures the familiar but tragic loop in Israel’s story: the people drift into sin, God sees and judges, and discipline follows through a foreign power. Each phrase underscores a facet of God’s righteous oversight—His awareness, His intolerance of evil, and His purposeful correction aimed at restoration. For today’s believer, the verse invites sober reflection on recurring sin patterns, the certainty that God sees, and the hope that His discipline is ultimately redemptive.
(1)
Did evil.--
Judges 2:11;
Judges 3:12;
Judges 4:1.
Midian.--Midian was the son of Adraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:2), and from him descended the numerous and wealthy nomadic tribes which occupied the plains east of Moab (Numbers 31:32-39). The name belongs, properly, to the tribes on the south-east of the Gulf of Akabah (1Kings 11:18). Moses himself had lived for forty years among them (Exodus 3:1;Exodus 18:1); but the Israelites had been bidden to maintain deadly hostility against the nation because of the shameful worship of Baal-peor, to which, under the instigation of Balaam, the Midianites had tempted them (Numbers 25:1-18). . . .
Verse 1. -
Midian. In
Numbers 22:7 we read of the Midianites as allied with the Moabites in their hostility to the children of Israel, and we find them willing agents of Balaam s iniquitous counsels (
Numbers 25:6, 17, 18;
Numbers 31:7, 8), and suffering a terrible chastisement from the Israelites in consequence. An abiding national feud was the natural consequence; and this, added to their love of plunder, no doubt led to the present invasion in company with the Amalekites (
Judges 3:13, note). Observe the contrast between the victory described in
Numbers 31. and the defeat narrated in this chapter.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Again the Israelitesבְנֵי־(ḇə·nê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sondidוַיַּעֲשׂ֧וּ(way·ya·‘ă·śū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6213:To do, makeevilהָרַ֖ע(hā·ra‘)Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451:Bad, evilin the sightבְּעֵינֵ֣י(bə·‘ê·nê)Preposition-b | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountainof the LORD;יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelso Heיְהוָ֛ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelhanded them over toוַיִּתְּנֵ֧ם(way·yit·tə·nêm)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setMidianמִדְיָ֖ן(miḏ·yān)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4080:Midian -- a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his descendants and the region where they settledfor sevenשֶׁ֥בַע(še·ḇa‘)Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7651:Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite numberyears,שָׁנִֽים׃(šā·nîm)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141:A year
Links
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OT History: Judges 6:1 The children of Israel did that which (Jd Judg. Jdg) 
