Chronological Reading Plan for Mar 31, Judges 6-7

Today's readings are Judges 6-7. Tomorrow's are Judges 8-9.

Israel's struggles continue in Judges 6. Once again, they begin to "do evil in the sight of the Lord" (Judges 6:1) and fall captive to Midian. 

God calls Gideon to go against the Midianites. While Gideon is called a "mighty man of valor" (Judges 6:12), Gideon seems to have his struggles. In one of the greatly misunderstood passages of the Bible, Gideon questions God's call. Gideon receives a sign that God has truly called him (Judges 6:20-21). He even builds an altar to the Lord on the spot. But, then he continues to question God by asking for additional signs utilizing a fleece (Judges 6:36-40). For more on the fleeces, click here. Suffice it to say, while many have been taught to "lay a fleece before the Lord", it may not be the best idea to continue testing and questioning God.

Perhaps God's grace is provided to Gideon to prepare him for what was to come. The fleeces work but I'm not sure Gideon likes the outcome. Ultimately, God reduces Gideon's army to the point that defeat is assured without supernatural intervention (Judges 7). 

Be careful with those fleeces, folks! The modern tendency is to use them in order to feel secure about a decision that has to be made. Once God responded to Gideon's fleece, Gideon had to respond to God's directives. If we lay a fleece and God responds, are we ready to do whatever He tells us?