Oppression and Confrontation

6:1 The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight,1 so the Lord turned them over to2 Midian for seven years. 6:2 The Midianites3 overwhelmed Israel.4 Because of Midian the Israelites made shelters5 for themselves in the hills, as well as caves and strongholds. 6:3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops,6 the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east would attack them.7 6:4 They invaded the land8 and devoured9 its crops10 all the way to Gaza. They left nothing for the Israelites to eat,11 and they took away12 the sheep, oxen, and donkeys. 6:5 When they invaded13 with their cattle and tents, they were as thick14 as locusts. Neither they nor their camels could be counted.15 They came to devour16 the land. 6:6 Israel was so severely weakened by Midian that the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.

6:7 When the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help because of Midian, 6:8 he17 sent a prophet18 to the Israelites. He said to them, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I brought you up from Egypt19 and took you out of that place of slavery.20 6:9 I rescued you from Egypt’s power21 and from the power of all who oppressed you. I drove them out before you and gave their land to you. 6:10 I said to you, “I am the Lord your God! Do not worship22 the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living!” But you have disobeyed me.’ ”23