13 Then Gideon said, “Pardon me, sir. If the Lord is with us, why are we having so many troubles? Our ancestors told us he did miracles. They told us the Lord brought them out of Egypt. But now he has left us. He has allowed the Midianites to defeat us.”
14 The Lord turned to Gideon and said, “You have the strength to save the people of Israel. Go and save them from the Midianites. I am the one who is sending you.”
15 But Gideon answered, “Pardon me, Lord. How can I save Israel? My family group is the weakest in Manasseh. And I am the least important member of my family.”
16 The Lord answered him, “I will be with you. It will seem as if you are fighting only one man.”
17 Then Gideon said to the Lord, “If you are pleased with me, give me proof. Show me that it is really you talking with me.
18 Please wait here. Do not go away 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 come back.”
19 So Gideon went in and cooked a young goat. He also took about 20 quarts of flour and made bread without yeast. Then he put the meat into a basket. And he put the broth from the boiled meat into a pot. He brought out the meat, the broth and the bread without yeast. He brought the food to the angel of the Lord. Gideon gave it to him under the oak tree.