9
I saved you from the power of Egypt. I saved you from all those who were beating you down. I drove the people of Canaan out to make room for you. I gave you their land.
10
" 'I said to you, "I am the LORD your God. You are now living in the land of the Amorites. Do not worship their gods." But you have not listened to me.' "
11
The angel of the LORD came. He sat down under an oak tree in Ophrah. The tree belonged to Joash. He was from the family line of Abiezer. Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress at Ophrah. He was the son of Joash. Gideon was threshing in a winepress to hide the wheat from the Midianites.
12
The angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon. He said, "Mighty warrior, the LORD is with you."
13
"But sir," Gideon replied, "you say the LORD is with us. Then why has all of this happened to us? Where are all of the wonderful things he has done? Our parents told us about them. They said, 'Didn't the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has deserted us. He has handed us over to Midian."
14
The LORD turned to Gideon. He said to him, "You are strong. Go and save Israel from the power of Midian. I am sending you."
15
"But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I possibly save Israel? My family group is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh. And I'm the least important member of my family."
16
The LORD answered, "I will be with you. So you will strike down the men of Midian all at one time."
17
Gideon replied, "If you are pleased with me, give me a special sign. Then I'll know that it's really you talking to me.
18
Please don't go away until I come back. I'll bring my offering and set it down in front of you." The LORD said, "I will wait until you return."
19
Gideon went and prepared a young goat. From more than half a bushel of flour he made bread without using yeast. He put the meat in a basket. In a pot he put soup that was made from the meat. Then he brought all of it and offered it to the LORD under the oak tree.
