- Lesson 8 in the Connect360 unit “The Conquerors: Heroes of the Faith” focuses on Judges 6:36-40.
Gideon had a great grasp that it was God who would save Israel through Gideon’s hand (Judges 6:36). To get greater clarity, Gideon put out two tests before the Lord. He asked God to confirm the call to lead Israel into battle first by putting out a fleece and asking God to bring dew onto the fleece but leave the ground dry (Judges 6:37), which God did. Then, Gideon again put out a fleece, this time asking God to cause the fleece to be dry while there is dew on the ground (Judges 6:39), and God obliged again.
There are two interesting and consequential phrases to see in this passage. Actually, it is the same phrase repeated twice. You see it as the last phrase of Judges 6:36, and you see it as the last phrase of Judges 6:37. The phrase is, “as you have said.” Even Gideon recounted that God had already given him the promise and the word. Gideon was simply showing his disbelief.
So many signs
The problem with signs is that we never are satisfied with them, and we always want just one more. God had given Gideon so many signs already. Let’s count them: (1) An angel came to him in Judges 6:11-12. (2) The Lord came to him in Judges 6:14. (3) A sacrifice was consumed by fire in Judges 6:21. (4) Gideon saw a change in his father’s heart in Judges 6:31. (5) The Spirit of the Lord came upon him in Judges 6:34. And now Gideon wanted God to jump through his hoops twice more!
Gideon dictated to God what God needed to be doing. Generally, my friends, that does not work. But Gideon was a new God-follower who had just left paganism. God is gracious and full of compassion, and God gave Gideon the signs he needed to move him forward in confidence as a judge and conqueror for the nation of Israel.
Compiled by Stan Granberry, marketing coordinator for GC2 Press, formerly known as BaptistWay Press.
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