Judges 6:1-6 “The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites … invaded the country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help.”

The Midianites were offspring of Abraham and Hagar who occupied the area south and east of Israel. They had camels. They were a large, mobile nation. They traveled with their families not like a trained army but more like a hungry, marauding mob. For Israel, their lack of response was the result of disobedience and getting caught up in the culture of the land they had failed to conquer.

Principle: The main function of government is to protect its people and commerce from foreign powers. God responds to revival and prayer in this area.

Repeated industry-wide failure and disruption by foreigners calls for government protection. That’s why we have armed forces, protected borders, trade barriers and legislators.

Above that is a Supreme God. No channels to talk to Him go direct. If the problem is your own enterprise He’ll fix it even if it’s a national discipline problem.

Discussion:

1. How well is our government doing in protecting its business?

2. What would be the best thing that national, state or local government could do to revive our economy?

3. How responsive are your legislators and executive leaders to hear you out?