Judges 6:5
For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
Judges 6:5 (KJV)
Context
The book of Judges records a recurring cycle in Israel’s history: disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Judges 6:5 belongs to the account of the Midianite oppression, which came as a consequence of Israel’s sin. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would invade after Israel planted crops, camping in the land and destroying produce all the way to Gaza, leaving no sustenance for Israel (Judges 6:3-4). This verse captures the overwhelming scale of that invasion.
Meaning
The verse describes the invaders coming with their cattle and tents, and they were like grasshoppers for multitude. Both they and their camels were without number. The comparison to grasshoppers, or locusts, emphasizes their vast numbers and the devastating effect they had, just as locusts consume everything in their path. The mention of camels, which were numerous and valuable, shows the wealth and military strength of the invaders. Their purpose was clear: they entered the land to destroy it. This was not a small raid but a total threat to Israel’s survival.
Biblical connections
The oppression of the Midianites was a direct result of Israel’s disobedience. In the preceding verses, the Israelites had turned away from God, worshiping false gods and engaging in sinful practices. As a result, God allowed the Midianites to overpower them as discipline and a call to return to Him. This pattern is seen throughout Judges: Israel sinned, God sent an oppressor, Israel cried out, and God raised a deliverer. The invasion also points to the spiritual battles believers face today. The enemy of our souls, Satan, seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Just as the Midianites plundered the land, so the forces of darkness seek to rob us of spiritual life and blessing.
Application
Judges 6:5 encourages us to examine our own lives. Are we facing spiritual oppression because of disobedience or turning away from God? The verse reminds us that sin has serious consequences, but it also shows that God is gracious and merciful. When we repent and cry out to Him, He is ready to deliver us. We should turn away from sin and pursue righteousness, so that we may experience His deliverance and victory in our battles. The overwhelming enemy also reminds us of our helplessness apart from God. We cannot overcome the forces of darkness in our own strength; we must depend on Him.
Reflection
Despite the dire circumstances, Judges 6 is the beginning of the story of Gideon. In the following verses, God called Gideon and used him to lead Israel to victory over the Midianites. This shows God’s faithfulness and His willingness to save His people when they turn back to Him. The verse sets the stage for that deliverance, highlighting the desperate need for a savior. For us, it points to the certainty of God’s help in times of trouble. Even when the enemy seems without number, God is able to rescue those who cry out to Him. This account encourages us to trust in His power and to remain faithful, knowing that He will not abandon His people.
