God accuses his people
1 Listen to what the Lord says:
‘Stand up! Explain why you think you are not guilty.
Let the mountains and the hills hear what you have to say.
2 Mountains and strong foundations of the earth,
you should also listen to me.
I, the Lord, am accusing my people.
Israel's people have turned against me.
That is why I argue against them.
6:2God is speaking against his people as if they are in a court of law.
3 My people, what bad things have I done to you?
How have I given you trouble? Answer me!
4 I brought you out of Egypt.
6:4Egypt is a country in north Africa that was south of Israel. Pharaohs were the rulers of Egypt.
I rescued you from that place where you had been slaves.
I sent Moses to lead you,
as well as Aaron and Miriam.
5 My people, remember how King Balak of Moab wanted to hurt you.
And remember how Beor's son Balaam answered him.
6:5King Balak asked Balaam to curse God's people. But instead, God made Balaam bless them. See Numbers 22-24. Remember also how you travelled from Shittim to Gilgal.
6:5Shittim was on the east side of the Jordan River. Gilgal was on the west side, in the land that God had promised to give to his people. God helped his people to go across the Jordan River safely. See Joshua 3-4. If you think about these things,
you will agree that I, the Lord, have done good things for you.’
