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Book of Judges - Chapter 6 - Verse 1

6:1
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

Meaning

In this verse, we see a pattern that is repeated often throughout the Old Testament: the cycle of disobedience, judgment, and deliverance. The children of Israel constantly strayed from the ways of the Lord, forgetting His commands and turning to idolatry and sin. As a result, God allowed the nation of Midian to oppress them for seven years as a form of punishment. This period of oppression was a consequence of the Israelites' disobedience and a means of bringing them back to repentance and reliance on God. The story of the Israelites in the book of Judges serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God, as well as the consequences of straying from His ways.

Theological Overview

Upon examining the theological interpretation of Judges 6:1, we see that the verse serves as a testament to the cyclical nature of the relationship between God and the Israelites. In this passage, it is clear that the Israelites have once again strayed from the path of righteousness. Their disobedience and idolatry have caused them to fall out of favor with the Lord, resulting in their oppression by the Midianites for seven years. This demonstrates that God's judgment is just and that He holds His people accountable for their actions. The word 'evil' in this context refers to the Israelites' departure from God's commandments and their turning to false gods. The word 'delivered' emphasizes the role of God in orchestrating the punishment of His people for their wrongdoing. Through this verse, we are reminded of the importance of staying faithful to God and the consequences of straying from His will.

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah: and Jehovah delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
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