Judges 6:8

*that the LORD sent a prophet to the sons of Israel, and he said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘It was I who brought you up from Egypt and brought you out from the house of slavery’”* (Judges 6:8 NASB-95).

In this verse, the biblical text focuses on God’s merciful response to Israel’s distress during the time of the Judges, which spanned roughly 300 years between the conquest of Canaan (around 1400 BC) and the establishment of the monarchy (about 1050 BC). By sending an unnamed prophet to proclaim, “It was I who brought you up from Egypt,” the LORD reminds His people of His faithfulness and their roots in the Exodus. *Egypt* is located in northeastern Africa and was a place of bondage for the Israelites, who remained there for centuries until God delivered them through Moses (see Exodus 3–14). This prophet’s message underscores Yahweh’s role as Savior and Redeemer—He alone freed Israel from enslavement, providing a vivid demonstration that no foreign god rescued them. The prophet also references how God “brought [Israel] out from the house of slavery,” highlighting the LORD’s sovereign might and covenant love for His chosen people.

In sending “a prophet” (Judges 6:8), Scripture shows that God continued raising up messengers to call Israel back to covenant faithfulness. In this period of self-governance, often called the time of the Judges, God repeatedly delivered His wayward people from oppression (Judges 2:16 citeturn0file8). These judges were not kings, but leaders raised up by God to rescue Israel whenever they fell into sin, were subjugated by neighboring nations, and cried out for help (Judges 2:16-18 citeturn0file16). By referencing the Exodus in Judges 6:8—the foundational event of Israel’s identity—this unnamed prophet sets the stage for Gideon’s calling in the subsequent verses, showing that the same God who performed mighty miracles in Egypt still protects and guides His people.

Despite Israel’s disobedience and short memories of what the LORD had done, God continues to reach out with warnings and instructions to bring them back into relationship. The prophet’s rebuke reveals He has not abandoned His people. They are invited to remember the Exodus and respond with renewed faith. This theme forms the bedrock for understanding Israel’s repeated cycle: they turn to idols, fall into bondage, call upon the LORD for help, and He raises a deliverer in His mercy. The prophetic voice in Judges 6:8 testifies that the LORD alone stands as Israel’s Deliverer, worthy of their worship and trust.

This verse shows that God’s covenant love transcends Israel’s failures, consistently offering them life and blessing if they turn back to Him—a truth that pours into the New Testament message of salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:17). Just as God delivered Israel from Egypt, Christ brings ultimate freedom from sin (John 8:36), fulfilling the deeper spiritual reality pictured by the Exodus.

God remains faithful to His promises. He is the one who brings freedom from bondage, in ancient times and in ours.

The people ignorantly sought help in the wrong places, but God’s prophet reminds them of the true source of deliverance.

He saved them from slavery before, and He can save again.