Put Out the Fleece

O. T. #522  "Put Out the Fleece"
May 21, 2015
Judges 6-Part 5
...then shall I know that thou will save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. Judges 6:36

LET IT GLOW

The steps in Gideon's victory are easy to trace:

• He had a promise to believe (6:12, 14; 7:7-9),
• an altar to build (6:25-26),
• a vessel to break,
• a lamp to burn,
• and a trumpet to blow. (Wiersbe)

Then God gave the victory.
Easy for me to say-I am not living through this. God didn't commission me to deliver a nation out of idolatry and the hands of the huge Midianite army. Yes, I can read the rest of the story. I know what happens. But how did Gideon feel and think during his wait for his 32,000 brethren to show up and form an inexperienced, untrained, unarmed army to defeat those 135,000 men, some on swift camels?

You will recall that we read earlier about Farmer Gideon having a visit from none other than our Savior, Jesus Christ Himself. They conversed. Twice we previously read where the Lord gave Gideon the assurance of victory (NIV):

1. Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you? (verse 14),
2. I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together. (verse 16)

Although Gideon had the promise of victory, he still asked for proof and needed assurance and courage to continue, despite a personal hesitation. The Word of God should be proof enough for us, but there are times we humans become weak in our faith. Been there!

If God says it, He will do it. We just need to follow and obey Him doing our part. Easy to say, hard to do!

LET IT GROW

In his moments of weakness, Gideon got the fleece of wool and
prayed, asking if God would save Israel by his hand as He promised:

1. to show it by making the fleece wet from dew and the threshing floor (ground) is dry, then Gideon would know. The next morning Gideon wrung out a bowlful of water from the dew on the fleece. He got his answer.
2. To be double sure, Gideon asked God to not be angry with him as he made one more request. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew. That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry and all the ground was covered with dew. There Gideon, your question, request, was answered.

Some say that "putting out the fleece" is a poor decision-making method. If we do this, we put limitations on God, asking Him to fit into their expectations. They go on to say that we should not do such a thing because God gives us His Word and wisdom, as well as prayer.
Pewwy! If we are unsure about a decision, God can confirm the right answer for us if He chooses. I don't see anything wrong with it, if it's not a weekly practice or a dependence upon signs instead of exercising faith in God.

The way I see it, Gideon had to know, without a doubt, no matter how many men were with him fighting, that God would give them the victory, beyond the shadow of a doubt. The matter had to be settled in Gideon's heart. Apparently it was. God had given the assurance twice.

Another way to look at this event is that Gideon felt outnumbered and beyond their abilities. He was looking at the wrong thing and not on Jesus. "A change of focus changes everything," says Priscilla Shirer.

LET IT GO

Listen for God's instructions for doing His will.

Follow those instructions.

Be blessed for obedience.