Gideon's fleece

I told you I love the story of Gideon and I think it's because I identify with him so thoroughly. Boy, do I love proof and signs and big flashy miracles and anything that makes God undeniable. Of course this is symptomatic of a deficit in faith and not an ideal approach toward discerning the will of God. God was patient with Gideon and gave him the reassurance that he sought, but we are not to take this story as an endorsement for "testing" God.

But let me back up to the beginning of Gideon's account, as line for line, there is something worth noting in each verse. The stage was set by noting that Israel enjoyed 40 years of peace after Deborah led the revolt against the Canaanite king. But after that brief respite, the Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites (descendants of Abraham through his second wife Keturah) for 7 years. I love the way the angel greets Gideon, who was hiding from the Midianites while threshing grain... "Mighty hero (not fraidycat???), the Lord is with you." And Gideon's response is even better... "If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened?" In essence, if God is good, then why do bad things happen? We hear the same things now.. if God loves me, then why doesn't He send me a spouse or a job or heal my disease or give me a baby? He follows up this line of questioning with "And where are all the miracles that our ancestors told us about?" In true "what have you done for me lately?" form, Gideon begins to ask for a sign.

Knowing his faith is weak, the angel says to Gideon, "Go in the strength you have"; meaning that there was no need to be an amazing military conqueror- he needed to bring what he had and let God make up the difference. There is so much in that verse for us. When we are feeling called to something, we simply need to go forth in the strength we have, trusting God to supply the rest. But Gideon has a Moses moment... "How can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least of my clan". And as God promised Moses, he says to Gideon, "I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting one man". It actually turned out to be less taxing than fighting one man, as the Israelites were not called into the battle at all! But Gideon, hiding from his enemy, needed some reassurance before agreeing to go up against them. So this is where he asked for a sign and put out the fleece. Not believing what he saw the first time, Gideon asked for an even more improbable sign. God is so patient and honors both of Gideons requests for proof. Should this be a tool we use as modern-day Christians? Jesus calls it a "wicked and perverse generation" that asks for signs, so we can take that as a NO. These people did not have the Bible or the Holy Spirit by which to discern God's will, so like the casting of lots and the Urim and Thummin, these were temporary devices God permitted. Does God gives us signs? I think so, but we are not to demand them nor to rely o them as the primary source for discerning His will..

Once Gideon embraces the idea of leading men into battle against the dreaded Midianites, he is thrown another curve ball. God wants him to reduce his army; ultimately from 32,000 to 300 men! The reason is listed in verse 7:2, "if I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength". In order for us to recognize the hand of God, He often has to strip us bare of our own abilities. God is at His best when we are at our worst. And when Gideon had an army that must have felt ridiculous in size, he once again needed reassurance. I can't say that I blame him, and I love that God is not angry with him for it. Sure, he'd been told that God would give him the victory, but it must have been very difficult to believe. So God allows him to overhear the dream of one of the Midianite soldiers, and his confidence is restored. The tactic he employs is reminiscent of what Joshua did to overpower the city of Jericho. He created so much noise and confusion that the people turned on themselves. It must have sounded like a throng of people were in their midst, even though it was a small amount and they were removed from the camp itself. Because it was dark (just after midnight), the people could not see who was attacking them, and panic led them to draw their swords against anyone they could. Gideon ends up pursuing the fleeing kings until he overtakes them and executes them both.

Isn't this a great story? Gideon is so human, but what is so exciting about him, is that he embodies the possibility that exists when someone is willing to go in their own strength.

Tomorrow's reading: Judges 9:22-11:28