The story of Gideon covers only three chapters: Judges 6 through 8. It begins with the recurring statement, a central thread throughout the book, that Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. These words remind us that Israel’s misery was the result of their apostasy from the LORD. Yet, it is precisely in this dark context that God’s grace is revealed again and again when He raises up a judge to redeem His people.
Judges 6
1 And the children of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years.
Midian
Midian was one of the sons Abraham had with Keturah after Sarah’s death (Gen. 25:2). The Midianites were therefore a brother nation of Israel. They play a major role in Gideon’s story, so we will encounter them later. We also know Midian as the area where Moses fled from Pharaoh (Ex. 2:15).
Judgment
If Israel “does evil in the sight of YAHWEH,” this means they serve other gods (2:13, 3:7, 10:6). The result is that God delivers Israel into the hands of the Midianites. Midian means: strife, contention. The word is derived from the root din (H1777), which means to judge or administer justice.
Blessing and Curse
Israel was promised a blessing if they served YAHWEH, their God (Deut. 28:1-14). But if the people did not serve Him and followed other gods, war and judgment would befall them (Deut. 28:15-68), including being delivered into the hands of their enemies (Deut. 28:25, 31, 48, 53).
2 When the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel, the Israelites made for themselves dens, caves, and strongholds in the mountains because of the Midianites.
3 When Israel had sown, Midian and Amalek and the people of the East came up against them.
4 They encamped against them and destroyed everything that grew on the land, as far as Gaza. They left no food for Israel, neither sheep, nor bull, nor donkey.
5 For they came up with their flocks and their tents, like locusts in multitude, and their flocks and their camels were without number. They came into the land to devastate it.