Midian Prevailed Against Israel - Judges 6:2

In the book of Judges we learned, “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”, and in chapter six and verse two of Judges, we learn how “the hand of Midian prevailed again Israel”, where we read,

And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.

The verse reads, “And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel:” The writer began with the words, “and the hand of Midian” which means “and the power, might and authority belonging to Midian or Midianite whose name means ‘strife’ and was son of Abraham by Keturah and progenitor of the tribe of Midianites or Arabian” “prevailed against Israel” or “was made firm and strong in opposition to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how the power and might belonging to “Midian” became firm in opposition to the people of “Israel”. 

The verse continues, “and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.” The writer added the words, “and because of the Midianites” which means “and since and on account of the Midianites whose name means ‘strife’” “the children of Israel” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “made them the dens” which means “fashioned and produced crevices, ravines, mountain clefts and dugout holes” “which are in the mountains” or “that existed within the risings above the plain”, “and caves” which means “and holes or dens”, “and strong holds” or “and forts, castles coverts of ambush”. The writer shared how the offspring belonging to “Israel” fashioned crevices and ravines within the holes or dens within the risings above the plain on account of the power and might of the “Midianites”.

When we meditate the words in this verse, we learn how the power and might of the people of “Midian” was so strong that the offspring belonging to “Israel” had to hide within the clefts and ravines within the risings above the plain. Can we imagine how difficult this must have been especially after having peace and tranquility for “forty years” (See Judges 5:31) Now rather than being in their comfortable homes, they were hiding in “caves”. God did not want it this way, but the people of Israel forsook Him, ad now the consequences were adverse and lengthy. God wants to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to continue walking with Him to avoid adverse consequences that cause us to hide in “caves”. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Psalm 121:7; 2 Thessalonians 5:22)

Next time we learn, “when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up”, again, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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