Again the Israelites did what the LORD said was wrong. So for seven years the LORD handed them over to Midian. Because the Midianites were very powerful and were cruel to Israel, the Israelites made hiding places in the mountains, in caves, and in safe places. Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other peoples from the east would come and attack them. They camped in the land and destroyed the crops that the Israelites had planted as far away as Gaza. They left nothing for Israel to eat, and no sheep, cattle, or donkeys. The Midianites came with their tents and their animals like swarms of locusts to ruin the land. There were so many people and camels they could not be counted. Israel became very poor because of the Midianites, so they cried out to the LORD.
When the Israelites cried out to the LORD against the Midianites, the LORD sent a prophet to them. He said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you out of Egypt, the land of slavery. I saved you from the Egyptians and from all those who were against you. I forced the Canaanites out of their land and gave it to you. Then I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God. Live in the land of the Amorites, but do not worship their gods.’ But you did not obey me.”
The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak tree at Ophrah that belonged to Joash, one of the Abiezrite people. Gideon, Joash’s son, was separating some wheat from the chaff in a winepress to keep the wheat from the Midianites. The angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior!”
Then Gideon said, “Sir, if the LORD is with us, why are we having so much trouble? Where are the miracles our ancestors told us he did when the LORD brought them out of Egypt? But now he has left us and has handed us over to the Midianites.”
The LORD turned to Gideon and said, “Go with your strength and save Israel from the Midianites. I am the one who is sending you.”
But Gideon answered, “Lord, how can I save Israel? My family group is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least important member of my family.”
The LORD answered him, “I will be with you. It will seem as if the Midianites you are fighting are only one man.”
Then Gideon said to the LORD, “If you are pleased with me, give me proof that it is really you talking with me. Please wait here until I come back to you. Let me bring my offering and set it in front of you.”
And the LORD said, “I will wait until you return.”
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