Seven times in Judges we read that the people did what was evil in the sight of the LORD (2:11; 3:7, 12; 4:1; 6:10:6; 13:1). For seven years they are given over to the Midianites, who come every year like a swarm of locusts, devastating everything (1:1). We also encounter the number seven in the passage from Deuteronomy about blessings and curses. First, in relation to the blessing:
Deuteronomy 28
7 The LORD will defeat your enemies who rise up against you before you. They will come against you one way, and they will flee before you seven ways.
Blessing
Seven is the number of fullness. Here, “seven ways” means that the enemies are completely, utterly defeated and scattered. They unitedly came against Israel, but were scattered in utter chaos – a picture of complete victory through God’s intervention. God promised them this blessing if the people would serve Him.
Deuteronomy 28
25 YAHWEH will grant that you will be defeated before your enemies. You will come against him one way, and you will flee from him seven ways.
curse
In the passage that speaks of the curse, it is the exact opposite. Israel, once protected by God, would experience complete defeat if they did not serve YAHWEH, their God. “Fleeing seven ways” means being completely scattered – a complete reversal of the blessing. This has happened several times in the history of the Jewish people. They have been expelled from the land or deported and scattered among the nations.
grace is exceedingly abundant
God’s grace is always more abundant than human sin (Rom. 5:20), and that is why God sends 12 judges. Twelve is the number of Israel, which consists of 12 tribes. Despite Israel’s current unbelief, God will restore the nation, deliver them from all their enemies, and subdue them. Israel will be the head of the nations (Isaiah 2:2-3; Zechariah 8:22-23).