Gideon and His Fleece

Dei Break

Judges 6:1-40

After forty years of peace and prosperity, the Midianites and their allies began dominating weakened Israel. Even after God's miracles worked through judge Deborah, years of prosperity and peace again led the people into apathy and idol worship. Midian took advantage of the situation, driving Israel to the mountain caves and stealing their crops. Mighty Israel had fallen to a new low. God sent a prophet in response to their cry for help (vs.8), but the unknown seer brought little hope. Israel had repaid God's love with rebellion, forfeiting any right to His help. But God did help them because the Old Testament, like the New, is the story of God's grace as well as His justice. He sends the angel of the Lord to Gideon, a young man busily trying to save his grain from Midian.

The angel calls the youth a "valiant warrior." None of the judges were obvious hero material. It was God who raised them up as great leaders.

Gideon was astonished that he, lowly Gideon, could possibly rescue Israel (vs.17). So he asked the angel to wait while he prepared an offering, on which the angel demonstrates God's awesome power.

The commands of vs.25-26 send Gideon into danger, telling him to destroy the local objects of idol worship, and bring along two bulls for offering to the True God there. He and his men work by night, fearing even his own family's reaction. Sure enough, the populace wants him executed (vs.30)

Later (vs.36) Gideon makes his famous request for a sign from God using a sheep's fleece, and God honored his quest.

Compare Gideon's request for a sign with the Pharisees' demand for a sign from Jesus. The Pharisees' sin was not in the asking, but that they were challenging Jesus to prove that He was the Christ. They had already had signs, and ignored them. They did not seek to believe, but to destroy Him. Gideon was like the man who said to Jesus, "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). Motive is the defining factor in these very different incidents.

Next Time: Gideon's Victory