Clarity from God

"Then Gideon said to God, 'If You will deliver Israel through me, as You have spoken, behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will deliver Israel through me, as You have spoken.' And it was so. When he arose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece, he drained the dew from the fleece, a bowl full of water. Then Gideon said to God, 'Do not let Your anger burn against me that I may speak once more; please let me make a test once more with the fleece, let it now be dry only on the fleece, and let there be dew on all the ground.' God did so that night; for it was dry only on the fleece, and dew was on all the ground." -Judges 6.36-40

Gideon has taken the first steps following God's command. He tore down the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole that belonged to his father. The men of the village were angry, and called for his death because he had desecrated the sacred altar of Baal. His father refuses and says that if Baal is really a god he can rise up and speak for himself.

Following these events the enemies of Israel gather in the Jezreel Valley to prepare for battle. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon Gideon and he begins to call Israel to war. This is a big moment. Making a stand in your village is one thing, but taking on an entire army, that is something else. God had appeared to Gideon and commanded him to tear down the altar, and before he leads an army he wants to make sure he has heard God correctly.

He places a fleece out and asks God to confirm the calling he has been given by making only the fleece wet with dew. When it happens, he requests that God do it again, only this time making only the fleece dry. Both times God answers, and Gideon has his confirmation that he is God's chosen deliverer.

Men, there is nothing wrong with seeking confirmation from God. There is nothing wrong with asking God to make His will clear to you. It is not a lack of faith or trust in Him to confirm what He has said. It is simply wanting to be sure that you have correctly heard what He has said. There is nothing wrong with seeking guidance for a decision. God is not angry with Gideon for asking, and He answers both times giving Gideon the confirmation that he needs.

It is important to point out that while it is ok to throw a fleece out, we must not manipulate them, as my Old Testament professor said. You don't throw out a fleece that you know won't happen just to get what you want. My professor used the example, "Don't say, 'God if I'm not supposed to marry this girl, make the sun not rise tomorrow'." Stuff like that is manipulation, not really seeking God's will. But asking for a sign is not a bad thing.

Let us be men who seek clarity from God on what He has commanded. And when He gives it, let us move forward in faith.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor