MIDIAN OPPRESSES ISRAEL

6 The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.b So the Lord handedc them over to Midian seven years, 2 and they oppressed Israel.d Because of Midian, the Israelites made hiding placese for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people of the eastf came and attacked them. 4 They encamped against them and destroyed the produce of the land, even as far as Gaza. They left nothing for Israel to eat, as well as no sheep, ox, or donkey. 5 For the Midianites came with their cattle and their tents like a great swarm of locusts.g They and their camels were without number, and they entered the land to lay waste to it. 6 So Israel became poverty-stricken because of Midian, and the Israelites cried out to the Lord.h

7 When the Israelites cried out to him because of Midian, 8 the Lord sent a propheti to them. He said to them, “This is what the Lordj God of Israel says: ‘I brought you out of Egypt and out of the place of slavery.k 9 I rescued you from the power of Egypt and the power of all who oppressedl you. I drove them out before you and gave you their land. 10 I said to you: I am the Lord your God. Do not fear the gods of the Amorites whose land you live in.m But you did not obey me.’ ”

THE LORD CALLS GIDEON

11 The angel of the Lordn came, and he sat under the oak that was in Ophrah,o which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, valiant warrior.”p