That the land had rest forty years is positive. There was no more war, no more invaders ransacking the land. But this is a rest without worship, and without obedience.1 Thus, this is the last time in the book of Judges that such a thing will occur. From this point onward, Israel will never again attain rest. This confirms that the book of Judges presents us not so much a series of repeating cycles, but a downward spiral. Israel and her judges keeps getting worse. The Lord’s gift of rest is eventually withdrawn. God’s mercy is deep but not easygoing; it is tender but will not be trampled.
2
28 So Midian was subdued before the people of Israel, and they raised their heads no more. And the land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon.