Let's Talk About That Fleece!

I've heard it so many times, it's almost become a spiritual principal. I've even done it a few times myself, laid out a fleece before the Lord in order to determine His will and my direction in some matter or decision. 

The idea is supposed to work like this, we lay out a "fleece", a set of conditions that, if met by God, we will know what to do. It all sounds so simple! It's a foolproof way of staying on God's good side and avoiding some dreadful error.

Or is it?

The whole idea of the fleece comes from the story of Gideon in Judges 6. 

Judges 6:36–40

36 Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said,

37 behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.”

38 And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.

39 Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.”

40 And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.

In short, Gideon was not totally sure of what God wanted him

to do, so he laid out a fleece, asking God to do something special to it. When God did, Gideon...just to be sure...did it again with a different guideline. God met that one as well and Gideon went forward.

It's a beautiful example of God giving guidance. Isn't it? Hmmm....perhaps we should look closer.  

Gideon, by his own admission, twice (vs 36 & 37), has heard from God! God intends to save Israel by the hand of Gideon. Yet Gideon hesitates. He's not sure. He wants more affirmation from God than he already has. He's really asking God to prove Himself before he goes forward. Gideon does not have enough trust in what God has told him to act decisively. 

This reveals much about Gideon. In Judges 6:11, the angel of the Lord calls Gideon and "man of valor".  In vs 34, we hear that Gideon is "clothed in the Spirit of the Lord". He is valiant, clothed in the Spirit, has heard from God, been given specific instructions and received the promise of victory. 

Yet, by the time we get to vs 36, we see that, in spite of all God has done, Gideon is still Gideon. This is not to say God's work has not been effective. It is to show that Gideon is not yet perfect. He has not been made immune to the weaknesses and flaws we all experience when confronted with the major battles and trials of life. Gideon has been blessed mightily, seen the power of God, felt His presence and knows His word. Still, he hesitates and is unsure. We can plainly see all this in Gideon. He is, just as we are, a flawed, fallen human being, touched by God and being made new with some work yet to be completed.  

We can see, just as plainly, that God is gracious and His grace flows abundantly and freely. In spite of the clarity with which God has spoken, in spite of the calling on Gideon, in spite of the promise he has been given....when Gideon hesitates, God is patient and kind. He never reproves Gideon, never chastises him. His blessings flow and His promise is made good, not based on Gideon's new super powers or even Gideon's (lack of) confidence, but based on God's faithfulness and His grace. 

This is the point of the story, God's grace. The author of Judges does not intend to show us a way for making good and godly decisions in life. We are not called upon to emulate Gideon's behavior or example in this passage. What we are called upon to do in these verses, is to give thanks to God for His grace and mercy when we are weak and doubtful, when we stumble and fall.

Gideon was not just a recipient of a calling and power. He also received a saving dose of God's grace. We see, in the story of the fleece, God, instead of crashing down on Gideon for doubt and fear, giving him...and us...a lesson on patience and grace.