Israel Oppressed by Midian
6 Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian seven years. 2 The [a]power of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian the sons of Israel made for themselves the dens which were in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds. 3 For it was when Israel had sown, that the Midianites would come up with the Amalekites and the sons of the east and [b]go against them. 4 So they would camp against them and destroy the produce of the earth [c]as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel as well as no sheep, ox, or donkey. 5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, they would come in like locusts for number, both they and their camels were innumerable; and they came into the land to devastate it. 6 So Israel was brought very low because of Midian, and the sons of Israel cried to the Lord.
7 Now it came about when the sons of Israel cried to the Lord on account of Midian, 8 that the Lord sent a prophet to the sons of Israel, and he said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘It was I who brought you up from Egypt and brought you out from the house of [d]slavery. 9 I delivered you from the hands of the Egyptians and from the hands of all your oppressors, and dispossessed them before you and gave you their land, 10 and I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live. But you have not [e]obeyed Me.”’”
It’s interesting how fickle the Israelites were, but also how gracious God was. Though He allowed their land to be devastated because of their sin, He was under no obligation to remind them why they were suffering.
But He does tell them exactly what is going on. God sends a prophet to tell them exactly why their current sufferings are happening. This also serves as a reminder that not all “pain” or “suffering” is because of our sin. But all of our pain & suffering can and will be used by God to bring about His will in our lives… if we are willing to pay attention to Him.
When life seems like crap, and the world seems to have “gone to the dogs”, look to God and find hope and peace. He’s in control, and He will work all things together for the good of those who love Him and follow Him. In other words, He won’t let your suffering go to waste. So trust that God knows what to do, and follow Him no matter what life brings your way.