SUMMARY
Deuteronomistic language once again predominates in this introduction to the second cycle of judges as it describes the pattern of God “giving Israel into the hands of their enemies” (the Midianites) because they “did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” This time, however, the Israelites do not suffer a direct military attack by their Midianite enemies. Instead, the Midianites strip their croplands and steal their livestock leading to starvation.
ANALYSIS
The threat of the Midianite enemy causes the Israelites to abandon their farms and flocks and seek safety by hiding in mountains, caves, and makeshift shelters. As a result, the Midianites cruelly destroy their crops, steal their animals, and even move in with their tents onto the land with the Midianites’ own flocks and herds which graze on Israel’s produce. Thus, “Israel was greatly impoverished,” and they “cried out to the LORD for help.” God’s response was to send a prophet to Israel to recall all that God had done for Israel in delivering them from slavery in Egypt and delivering them into the land of Canaan. The prophet reiterated the warning against worshipping foreign gods and charged the Israelites, speaking in God’s name, “But you have not given heed to my voice” (6:10).
