Scripture Text: Judges 6:1-10
the Lord sent a prophet to the people of Israel. And he said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery. And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. And I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.”
Judges 6:8-10
God rebuked the people of Israel when they called upon Him through the unnamed prophet mentioned in our passage, he reminded the Israelites about two things; 1) God's faithfulness 2) the apostasy of Israel.
The familiar pattern of apostasy continued, done by the Israelites (vv. 1-6). When they cried out for deliverance (v. 6), God sent an unnamed prophet, not a judge who condemned Israel (vv. 7-10). God would not be confined to a mechanical "box", responding to any and all Israelite appeals regardless of circumstances. In verses 3-5, the author also emphasized the Midianites and their allies like "locusts" on devastated land, ate crops, and darkened the skies as they were blown by the wind (Ex. 10:13-15, Joel 1:4, 15-17, 2:1-11)
In 1990's, my former employer FINCH / ICI paints assigned me as a Technical Sales Representative in Central and Northern Luzon. Oftentimes, when I travelled, particularly to Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, I saw hundreds of thousands or even millions of locusts who darkened the skies, and affected even the highways or roads. In a few minutes or an hour, the rice fields or sugar plantations were totally devastated. Truly, if the locusts totally destroyed the crops as the food source of the people, it really is a big disaster for farmers (refers to 7 years disaster of the Israelites under Midianites).
The Word of the Lord continuously reminds all people that without God's presence, their lives are to be darkened not because of the locusts but because of their sins. He continues to remind His people to do only His will. Not to do their own will or even evil will because Satan will truly darken the lives of the people. God commanded His people to obey Him wholeheartedly to avoid disaster in their lives. And the Lord guarantees us as His people that His presence is enough for us to live victoriously.
Therefore, whether His people are not faithful to Him or do not obey Him, the Lord remains faithful to His words and promises. I'm pretty sure that through His Son, Jesus Christ, we are all safe and secure eternally. All we have to do is to remain faithful, obey His will untill He finally comes!
Reflect
Are you seriously waiting the final coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?
"Be faithful to Him and obey His commandments"
Remember
Our God is faithful and just forever!
if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Read
Deuteronomy 7:9-12, 28:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1:9
Pray
Dear God, thank You for the living word that that is eternal and keeps us blessed. Thank You, for most often than not, we go against Your will. But You, being faithful, ensure that Your presence is upon us, to guide us through to victory of being in Your will. We bless You for keeping us in Your loving arms, in Jesus' Name. Amen!
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