## Fleece or Faith: Discerning the Will of God

## Judges 6:1-40

Most of us have heard someone use the term 'putting out a fleece' in reference to making a decision. That term comes from an event in the life of Gideon. The question I want us to consider this evening is whether this is the way we should discern God's will in decision making or not. As always, the Word of God should be the final authority in all that we do as believers. We often chide those who seek after signs and experiences. Remember Peter declaring to us that the Word of God was greater than all our personal experiences.

Note: 1 Peter 1:16-21

We are called upon to walk by faith not by sight. So why should we think that God would direct us through signs or fleeces? Some would claim that since it is in the Bible (ie. Gideon) then it is right or even expected that we do the same. Let's consider the Word of God this evening and look at the events that led up to Gideon placing the fleece before the Lord. The questions before us tonight: Was Gideon justified in doing this? Was this an indication of Gideon's faith or his doubt and fear? Is it ever God's will for a believer to throw out a fleece?

I. Biblical Examples of Fleece-throwing

A. The servant of Abraham

(Gen 24:14) And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast showed kindness unto my master.

1. He was sent to find a bride for Isaac in a foreign land.

2. Upon arriving, he prayed and threw out a fleece.

3. God obviously accepted this fleece prayer.

4. Especially thrilling are the words, "and it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out" (v. 15).

B. King Ahaz

(Isa 7:10-12) Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, {11} Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. {12} But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.

1. In this instance, God himself invited this wicked Judean king to ask for any sign he wanted.

2. God would perform it to prove that Jerusalem would be saved from her enemies.

3. But the evil ruler refused.

C. King Hezekiah

(2 Ki 20:10-11) And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. {11} And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.

1. God caused the sundial shadow to go back ten degrees, showing he would be healed.

2. Again, it may be observed that God honored this requested sign.

D. Satan

"Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God" (Mt. 4:5-7).

1. Here the Savior rightly refused to perform the perverted fleece throwing as suggested by the devil.

2. The basis for His refusal, He said it was wrong to tempt God.

II. Historical Background. Judges 6

A. After Barak's death, Israel returned to idolatry and God delivered them into the hands of the cruel Midianites for seven years. v2-6

B. A nameless (and fearless) prophet reminded Israel that their terrible circumstances were due to sin (6:8-10).

C. An angel of the Lord appeared at this point to Gideon, who was threshing wheat by hand in the bottom of a grape press to hide it from the Midianites (6:11).

D. Gideon is divinely commissioned to defeat the Midianites, and thereupon builds an altar to God, calling it Jehovah-shalom ("the Lord send peace," Jdg. 6:12-24).

1. Note: In spite of his many doubts, Gideon shows real faith at this time of famine by offering a young goat and baked bread sacrifice.

2. That very night, at God's command, Gideon pulls down the family altar of Baal and replaces it with an altar to Jehovah (6:25-27).

3. Gideon's father, Joash, calms down an angry crowd the next morning that would have killed Gideon for his brave act.

4. God's Spirit then comes upon Gideon. Gideon blows a trumpet and sounds a call to arms (6:34, 35).

5. He then throws out the fleece (twice) and is thus reassured concerning his call by God (6:36-40).

E. Some facts to be considered:

1. The Lord had already on two previous occasions clearly assured Gideon of what he was to do.

(Judg 6:14) And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

(Judg 6:16) And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

2. The Lord had already given a sign that Gideon had requested. Cf 6:17-21

III. Basic Conclusions On Fleece-Throwing:

A. Do we believe God's Word?

1. Although God did not rebuke Gideon, his is in reality an example of a lack of faith in God's Word.

2. As we noted at the beginning of our study, God has called us to walk by faith, not by sight.

3. If we aren't sure what to do, the best advice is to wait upon God until we are sure!

4. Very often the case is that God has already revealed His will to us through His Word, but we are either ignorant of it, or we want our own will rather than to submit to His.

B. Often the fleece throwing attempts to limit God.

1. We get into trouble when we try to force God to act in a particular way for our benefit.

2. Keep in mind that He is the Sovereign Lord of the Universe, and it is presumptuous for us to expect Him to 'jump through hoops' for us.

3. This is the theology of the 'name it and claim it' thinking that is prevalent today.

C. Modern-day fleece throwing doesn't follow the biblical pattern of Gideon.

1. Gideon asked God to do something that only God could do…and he asked twice!

2. It was a miracle…a supernatural intrusion into the laws of nature.

3. Often the fleeces that are thrown today consist of varying circumstances that could just as easily take place without any input from God at all!

4. Example: If this light turns green before I reach the intersection…or if a certain song comes on the radio…or etc.

5. The will of God is not hidden, but rather it is revealed to us through the Word of God.

6. God does not bypass our minds when it comes to His will for us.

(Eph 5:17) "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."