Now when the Israelites cried out to the LORD because of Midian, Now when the Israelites cried outThe phrase "cried out" in Hebrew is "זָעַק" (za'aq), which conveys a deep, desperate plea for help. This is not a mere request but a heartfelt cry from a people in distress. Historically, the Israelites often found themselves in cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. This cry signifies a turning point, where the Israelites acknowledge their helplessness and seek divine intervention. It reflects the human condition of reaching out to God in times of dire need, recognizing that only He can provide true deliverance. to the LORD
The term "LORD" here is "יהוה" (YHWH), the sacred name of God, often rendered as Yahweh. This name emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenant relationship with Israel. By crying out to Yahweh, the Israelites are appealing to the God of their ancestors, the One who delivered them from Egypt and established them as His chosen people. This invocation of the LORD's name is a reminder of His faithfulness and the covenant promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It underscores the importance of returning to God in repentance and faith, trusting in His unchanging character. because of Midian
The Midianites were a nomadic people who oppressed Israel during this period. Historically, they were descendants of Abraham through Keturah, and their relationship with Israel was complex, involving both conflict and cooperation at different times. In this context, Midian represents the consequences of Israel's disobedience to God. The oppression by Midian is a direct result of Israel's idolatry and turning away from the LORD. This serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual principle that turning away from God leads to bondage, while turning back to Him brings freedom and restoration. The mention of Midian highlights the need for Israel to rely on God's strength rather than their own, as He alone can deliver them from their enemies. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are suffering under the oppression of the Midianites due to their disobedience and idolatry. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who hears the cries of His people and responds to their distress. 3. MidianA nomadic tribe that oppressed the Israelites, causing them to cry out to God for deliverance. 4. Crying OutThis event marks a turning point where the Israelites, in their desperation, seek divine intervention. 5. OppressionThe context of this verse is the severe oppression faced by the Israelites, which leads them to repentance and seeking God. Teaching Points The Importance of RepentanceThe Israelites' cry to God signifies a moment of repentance. True repentance involves recognizing our sin and turning back to God. God's FaithfulnessDespite Israel's repeated disobedience, God remains faithful and responsive to their cries. This reassures us of God's unchanging nature and His readiness to forgive. The Power of PrayerThe act of crying out to God demonstrates the power and necessity of prayer in times of distress. Prayer is a vital tool for believers to connect with God and seek His intervention. Consequences of DisobedienceThe oppression by Midian is a direct result of Israel's disobedience. This serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commands. God's DeliveranceThe account sets the stage for God's deliverance through Gideon, illustrating that God often raises up leaders to bring about His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the Israelites' cry to the Lord reveal about their spiritual state and relationship with God at this time? 2. How does the oppression by Midian serve as both a consequence and a catalyst for Israel's return to God? 3. In what ways can we apply the principle of crying out to God in our own lives when facing difficult circumstances? 4. How does God's response to the Israelites' cry in Judges 6:7 encourage us about His character and promises? 5. Can you identify a situation in your life where you experienced God's deliverance after earnestly seeking Him in prayer? How does this relate to the experiences of the Israelites? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 2:23-25Similar to the Israelites' cry in Egypt, this passage shows God's responsiveness to the cries of His people in distress. Psalm 34:17This verse emphasizes that the Lord hears the cries of the righteous and delivers them from their troubles. 2 Chronicles 7:14This passage highlights the importance of humility, prayer, and seeking God's face for healing and deliverance. James 5:16The power of earnest prayer is underscored, showing that God responds to the prayers of His people. 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 Account, Cried, Cry, Midian, Midianites, Mid'ianites, Pass, SonsDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 6:7-10 5777 admonition
7223 exodus, significance
8610 prayer, asking God 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 6:7 NIVJudges 6:7 NLTJudges 6:7 ESVJudges 6:7 NASBJudges 6:7 KJV
Judges 6:7 Commentaries
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