Having fielded questions from hundreds of students through the years there is one question which surfaces far more often than any other. The question: How can I know the will of God for my life? No one wants to feel the frustration of a wasted life. Since we only have one life to live, we naturally want to live it to the fullest with the certainty that our path is really God’s chosen direction for us. With so much interest in knowing God’s will it is not surprising that so many inferior methods for determining God’s will have arisen.
One popular method with many of God’s people begins with Gideon. Laying out a fleece is almost conventional with many Christians. It is often looked upon as an act of great faith on the part of Gideon and others. A closer examination reveals that the fleece was more about fear than faith. Gideon already had the Word of the Lord. What more did he need? God had given him his assignment (6: 14) and his assurance (6: 16). God’s Word is not only sure; it is sufficient as well. Still Gideon asked for a sign which God kindly provided. In fact, Gideon witnessed the very fire of God (6: 21).
Though Gideon leads the list of judges in Hebrews 11 (Heb. 11: 32) his is a strange mixture of faith and fear. He tears down the family Asherah pole but only under the cover of darkness because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it in the daytime (6: 27). Now, even with the Spirit of the Lord enveloping him, Gideon remains tentative and seeks a sign.
Most of us are like Gideon; at least at times. Sometimes bold in faith and at other moments unsure of the pleasure, power and path of God. We often prefer a tangible sign without to the intangible voice of God within. Though God intends for us to live by faith (Hab. 2: 4; Rom. 1: 17; Gal. 3: 11; Heb. 10: 38) He condescends to our weak faith and often verifies His Word with a confirming sign.
Gideon is included in God’s Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 not because of his fleece but because of his faith. Gideon grew through his experience and learned to trust God’s Word implicitly (7: 1 – 8). Notice in chapter seven that the confirming sign comes after Gideon responded in faith not before. Faith gets the order right. We hear God. We believe God. We obey God. Then we see the confirmation of God. Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, and the proof of what is not seen (Heb. 11: 1).