Faith and Fleeces
Devotions for Growing Christians
Faith and Fleeces
Judges 6:38-40 - Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.
Have you ever asked God for a sign? As in, a literal, physical sign to verify His direction in your life? In Christian circles, making this kind of request to God is often called “putting out a fleece.” This odd expression comes directly from the life of Gideon and his requests for miraculous signs. Christians may read the account of Gideon and assume it’s good to ask God for signs. After all, many Bible characters like Gideon received real signs from God, so why can’t we? Let’s take a look at the story of Gideon to find some answers.
Background
Gideon was a leader of God’s people during the period of the Judges, at a time when the Midianites had invaded Israel. God called Gideon to rally the Israeli troops and take back control of the land.
Gideon was hesitant and fearful of the idea (just as we might be against a formidable opponent). Even though God called him directly, he repeatedly asked for clear verification that the Lord would give him victory.
In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon requested two miraculous signs of God. These miracles centered around a wool fleece (something like a sheepskin rug) that he put out on the ground in the evening. The first night, he asked that the fleece would be wet with dew in the morning, while the ground around it was dry. The next night, he asked to find the fleece totally dry, but the ground around it wet. When God provided both of these signs, Gideon was finally able to move forward with assurance of God’s plan.
Some of the questions that arise when reading this account may be along these lines:
- Should we follow the example of Gideon and "set out a fleece" when we need to make a decision?
- Are “fleeces” reserved only for special occasions - or should we expect God to give us signs every day?
- Is "putting out a fleece" evidence of a mature faith?
- Is our faith strengthened by asking for “fleeces,” or is it better not to ask for signs?
What exactly is the Bible teaching us here?
Examples in Scripture are subject to the teaching of Scripture
One of the important principles for interpreting examples like this in Scripture is that we must always distinguish between what did happen from what should have happened. Lessons learned from historical accounts in the Bible must always be in agreement with other straightforward teaching passages of the Bible.
For example, in Genesis 12:10-20, the Bible tells us that Abraham lied about his wife and put her in danger to protect his own life. Obviously the Bible is not teaching that it's OK for us to lie and put our family members in danger if our own life is threatened! The rest of Scripture is clear about that.
Likewise, the story of Gideon and the fleece is an account of what did happen, but it is not necessarily what should have happened. We need to look at the context of the entire chapter to see whether Gideon's actions indicated a strong, mature faith, or a weak, immature faith. We must ask ourselves: does the overall context of the account teach us that we should follow the actions of the character in the account, or avoid the actions of the character? Does the teaching in the rest of the Bible back this up?
The Pharisees ask for signs
The book of Matthew tells us that the Pharisees twice asked Jesus for a miraculous sign to prove His authority. In each case, Jesus taught that this demonstrated poor attitude towards God (12:39 and 16:4). On both occasions He said that "only an evil and adulterous generation would demand a sign."
We might think that the often-devious Pharisees demanding a sign is different than a committed believer asking for a sign. But the Bible indicates that even a believer demonstrates an immature faith in asking for signs. For example, Jesus addressed the lack of faith of "doubting Thomas" with the statement, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).
So we could say that the rule of thumb for the growing Christian should be, "We walk by faith and not by fleeces." Or, as 1 Corinthians 5:7 says, "We walk by faith and not by sight."
A weak and insecure faith?
The fleece was not Gideon’s only request for a sign in this story. Earlier in the chapter, Gideon spoke directly to the Angel of the Lord who said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you… I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man” (6:14-16).
After that strong statement from the Angel of the Lord, God even sent a miraculous fire to consume Gideon’s sacrifice (6:20-21). How much more evidence did Gideon need? Yet he had the audacity to further question God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me… (6:36-37).
It’s clear that even Gideon, himself, felt like he was showing a weak faith when he said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request” (6:39 emphasis added).
Maybe, like Gideon, we’ve put out a fleece at one time or another in our lives. Maybe we’ve even seen God answer with a "miraculous" sign. But that doesn’t mean God favors this approach. God would rather see a strong faith that doesn’t need fleeces and miracles. Although the account of Gideon is not specifically teaching that it’s wrong to ask God for signs, it’s included in Scripture to demonstrate an unsure, wavering faith. However, it also shows that God tolerates a lack of faith.
A genuine faith
Gideon may not have been a giant in faith, but we can see that he did have a genuine faith. When God told Gideon to tear down his father's pagan altar, Gideon obeyed in faith (6:25-27). Out of fear, he did it under the cover of darkness -- but he did it! Faith does not have to be bold to be genuine.
The fact that Gideon made it into God's "Hall of Fame of Faith" in Hebrews 11 (despite his various shortcomings) shows us that a genuine faith is ultimately more important to God than the strength of our faith.
Should we ask for signs?
Luke 4:12 says, “You must not test the Lord your God.” Christians who ask God for signs aren’t necessarily testing God, but they're moving in that direction. If we set tight boundaries in seeking specific signs from God, we’re forcing the Lord to confirm His will on our terms. That comes perilously close to testing God.
The better approach in confirming God’s will is by the normal means that God has given us. Asking God to confirm our decisions, without restricting Him to do it our way, is not the same as setting out a fleece.
The Lord wants us to make good and right decisions, and He’s happy to confirm our choices. We really can trust His promise: "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:6).
- Dave Reid
(Updated 2021, Ron Reid)