Book of Judges - Chapter 6 - Verse 6

During the time of the judges in Israel, the nation faced great hardship and impoverishment at the hands of the Midianites. The Midianites, along with other surrounding nations, would invade Israelite territories, destroy crops, and steal livestock, leading to widespread poverty among the Israelites. In desperation, the children of Israel cried out to the LORD for deliverance and help. This verse reflects a common theme throughout the book of Judges, where the Israelites would turn away from God, face oppression from enemies, cry out to God for help, and then be delivered by a judge that God raised up. This cycle of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance would repeat during the period of the judges, emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful to God's commandments and seeking His help in times of trouble.

In this verse, we see a clear depiction of the consequences of Israel's disobedience towards God. The word 'impoverished' in this context highlights not just the material poverty experienced by the Israelites due to the Midianites' oppression, but also their spiritual poverty resulting from straying away from God's commands. The cry of the Israelites to the Lord signifies their recognition of their need for divine intervention and their desire to return to God for deliverance. This verse serves as a reminder of the cyclical pattern seen throughout the Bible where God's people face hardship when they turn away from Him, but find restoration and salvation when they cry out to Him in repentance. It underscores the importance of humility, dependence on God, and the power of prayer in seeking God's help in times of trouble.