Gideon – Fleecing God
Judges 6:33-40 – Victory Fellowship
May 10, 2026 - Rev. Roderick Grabski – Mother’s Day
Bill Engvall – Here’s your sign
Someone said, "Give me the benefit of your convictions, if you have any; but keep your doubts to yourself, for I have enough of my own." (Goethe)
Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.
Gideon was not a perfect example for us. He was very human and very fallible. He had doubts and fears like everyone else. Some would say his faith was weak but I differ, so far his faith and trust in the Lord had won out over the fear and doubt.
Gideon began his conversation with God with a conditional, "if". He asked if he could fleece God. The test would involve taking a wool fleece, the skin of a sheep with the wool on it, and placing it out in the night. If the dry fleece became wet and the ground was not dewy or wet he would believe in the promise of God to give victory.
God did as Gideon requested. The fleece was soaked with a bowlful of water and the ground was dry all around. God had given Gideon the sign. However, Gideon was not entirely convinced, after all, someone could have poured water on the fleece. How could he be sure?
A Request...Again v. 39-40 Gideon then asks for a reversal of the conditions—from a wet fleece and dry ground, to a dry fleece and wet ground. Nevertheless, God is remarkably patient with Gideon; He understands Gideon’s insecurity. That night God did what Gideon asked for. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.
Gideon was ready.
In verses 33-35 both sides assemble forces to prepare for battle. We’re told that “the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon” (34). The original Hebrew literally says “the Spirit of the Lord clothed Himself with Gideon.” God’s Spirit selected, anointed, and empowered Gideon. The same power is available for us.
I want to talk for a moment about fleecing God. You see, in spite of – 1) A personal visit from the Angel of the Lord; 2) a miraculous display of fire consuming the met and unleavened bread; and 3) an encouraging recruitment response from the tribes of Israel - Gideon again asks God for reassurance -another visible sign.
Occasionally I hear of someone “putting out a fleece”, and I’m curious about what they mean. I have done what I’ve called a “fleece test” but it was only when I had already decided to go and do whatever God was asking of me - but I was presented with several options. Sort of like, “God would You open the doors of opportunity that I should go through and close any doors of opportunity that I shouldn’t?”
A fleece test shouldn’t be used like a daily horoscope reading. A fleece test shouldn’t be used to determine if you should do something contrary to God’s commandments – like sin.
A fleece test shouldn’t be used to ask God for some tangible proof or indication of His will.
These methods are not acts of faith. This type of “fleecing” has nothing to do with determining God’s will. Some people lay out a fleece the same way they see demons under every bush. (Satan’s not too interested in you if you’re not increasing the kingdom or growing in faith)
We do well to remember that Jesus called those who sought for miraculous signs a “wicked and adulterous generation” (Mt 12:39). He also tells them, “My sheep hear My voice… and they follow Me” (Jn 10:27).
Since God already clearly told Gideon what to do, I personally think that Gideon’s fleece was for a demonstration to alleviate the doubt and fear and lack of trust of the assembling army. If it was only for Gideon to bolster his own confidence he should’ve trusted God instead of demanding a sign. God spoke to him, and God’s words do not require any outward confirmation. Now I wasn’t in his shoes and God doesn’t rebuke Gideon and neither should we.
We may struggle to determine God’s will, yet we do not need any supernatural indicators, no messages written in the sky. Still, it’s a great comfort to know that God knows us and is patient with us!
Wouldn’t it be great if a book would miraculously drop out of heaven with all the information we need to guide our decisions. Oh wait, there IS such a book from heaven that contains all the guidance we require, as well as advice from fellow believers and the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit.
When we surrender to God’s will, we’re granted the ability to know and do whatever He has planned for us. This is an on-going process; we may have no idea what we’ll be doing five years from now, but God promises us enough light to take the next step.
The LORD gives us the same promise today as he gave Gideon long ago. It is found in Romans 8:31-32, 37-39
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So listen up Church – (hold up Bible) – Here’s your sign!
PRAYER
SONG: Your Love is Like a River
Judges 6:33-40 NLT
Soon afterward the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east formed an alliance against Israel and crossed the Jordan, camping in the valley of Jezreel. 34 Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. 35 He also sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, summoning their warriors, and all of them responded. 36 Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, 37 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.” 38 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. 39 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.” 40 So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.
