On, Off, On Off Relationship With God
The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord handed them over to Midian for seven years, and they oppressed Israel. Because of Midian, the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.
When the Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, the Lord sent a prophet to them, He said to them, "This is what the lord, God of Israel says: I brought you out of Egypt from a place of slavery. I delivered you from the power of Egypt and the power of all who oppressed you. I drove them out before you and gave you their land. I said to you: I am Yahweh your God. Do not fear the gods of the Amorites whose land you live in. But you did not obey Me." Judges 6:1,2;7-10
God was allowing the Midianites to oppress His people to bring them back to Him. Then, when they cried out, as they usually did, after many years of oppression, He, this time, sent a prophet. The prophet reminded Israel how God had set them free from Egypt where they had been in bondage for 400 years. He gave them their own land and told them not to fear the gods of the people in the land but they disobeyed.
Things would have been so much simpler of they had just obeyed the Lord, but again and again they failed and went into bondage. They may have begun to think they had the formula right by, getting away with sin for a period of time and when things got too much, cry out to God, why He would always come through. this time He sent a prophet.
We do not see any evidence of repentance yet in verse 11 God sends his angel to Gideon to speak faith into an unbelieving heart. Gideon would be the next deliverer but he had no intentions of delivering anyone.
Are you the Christian who constantly fluctuates between being 'on track' and 'off track'? What is that like for you? It sounds like hell. This time, when you get it right, press right into God and find His heart. Once you discover His love for you, you will not love the things of the world, you can't because you will be smitten.
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