Gideon: Guidance from Fleece under a Tree
Selections from Judges 6-8

This is week 5 in a preaching series called “Reforesting our Faith”. Today we‘ll encounter Gideon, an Israelite used by God to bring freedom to his people and peace for the next 40 years. But that all seems nearly impossible, given the opening scene found in Judges 6:1-10:
6 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. 2 Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts and caves. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. 5 They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 6 Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.
8 The Lord sent them a prophet, who said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, the land of slavery. 9 I delivered you and gave you the land. 10 I said, ‘do not worship other gods.’ But you have not listened to me.”
The Israelites had drifted and then completely turned their back on God during 40 years of peace and prosperity. How did that happen, and why? God had finally and miraculously freed them from slavery and settled them in the Promised Land. God’s love and provision for them was amazing. Why do people drift away from God these days? Don’t we have Jesus’ love, presence, and power every day? The temptation common to us all is to focus on “self” more than God. This usually happens in degrees. We fail to draw near to God one day, which becomes several, until it is no longer a habit. We allow other things to take the place of worship. We forget God’s truths and memories of his saving love fade. One sad day we may realize we are at a great distance from God. The one far off is us, and God is grieving.
In today’s Scripture we learn things are far worse than forgetting God; His people have been doing evil for 7 years. Their hearts were rampant with sin, doing grievous harm to themselves and others. They needed an astounding intervention, a way to get through to them so they returned to faith in God.
In an effort to awaken His people, God allowed great adversity. Their lush land and beautiful homesteads were raided; they were driven to the rocky hills by invaders and were slowly starving to death. God, who was no longer their daily resource, could be called on as their last resort!
Have you ever felt like so much was going wrong in your life, it would take a big God to do many miracles to restore your life? I think Gideon felt that way.
Listen to what happens next in Judges 6:11-24 (selections).
In today’s Scripture we learn things are far worse than forgetting God; His people have been doing evil for 7 years. Their hearts were rampant with sin, doing grievous harm to themselves and others. They needed an astounding intervention, a way to get through to them so they returned to faith in God.
In an effort to awaken His people, God allowed great adversity. Their lush land and beautiful homesteads were raided; they were driven to the rocky hills by invaders and were slowly starving to death. God, who was no longer their daily resource, could be called on as their last resort!
Have you ever felt like so much was going wrong in your life, it would take a big God to do many miracles to restore your life? I think Gideon felt that way.
Listen to what happens next in Judges 6:11-24 (selections).
11 One day, an angel sat down under the oak tree in Ophrah, where Gideon was threshing wheat. 12 The angel said to Gideon, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
13 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about? The Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”
14 The Lord said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest, and I am the least in my family.”
16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites.”
17 Gideon replied, “If I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign. 18 Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.”
And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return.”
19 Gideon prepared a young goat, and bread without yeast and brought them out to the Lord under the oak, placing them on a rock.
21 Then the angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of his staff. Fire flared from the rock, consuming them both, then the angel disappeared.
24 So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there.
In the shade of a large oak tree an angel appeared, a wooden staff in his hand. He observed Gideon, sweating as he worked to thresh grain in the shadows rather than out in an open field because of the invaders. Perhaps he had just thought to himself, ”Is the Lord God with me?” because the angel said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Gideon seems to think this is a man in his clan, offering his own insights, because he never hesitated - out came his darkest doubts and worst fears: “Excuse me, but if God is with us, why has all this happened? Where are all the miracles our relatives boasted about? I think God has abandoned us.” Have you ever felt like God is not with you in your time of trouble? Have you doubted? God wants us to tell him just what we feel; God can handle our hurts and raw fears. Rather than keep our eyes on our circumstances, God wants us to turn toward him.
The next moment in this scene is spectacular! We learn it is not an angel, but the Lord Jesus who is standing before Gideon. He said something we ourselves may need to hear in our times of trouble: ”Go - in the strength you have!” Just as you are right now, God can use you. God can accomplish such good through us if we stop protesting or making excuses, and simply say, “God, every day, I make myself available and go in the strength I have!”
Gideon, who was not yet in that place of humility, practically bragged about how his clan was the weakest and he was the last child born in his large family. The Lord paid no attention to those objections, saying instead: “I will be with you, and through you will strike down all of the Midianites.” The weaknesses Gideon named were handily countered by the formidable power of God.
I find this to be a good reminder that God sees beyond our limits, faults, and past failures. While we mull over our shortcomings, and insecurities creep in making us intimidated, God wants to clear away all of that debris with this astounding Good News: God promises to be with us. That makes all the difference, doesn’t it? We are never alone in our struggles; the battle never depends on our own strength. If only we will trust God to empower us.
Gideon was still struggling with doubt, so he asked God to confirm his spoken promises with a sign. Judges 6: 36-40 says:
Gideon seems to think this is a man in his clan, offering his own insights, because he never hesitated - out came his darkest doubts and worst fears: “Excuse me, but if God is with us, why has all this happened? Where are all the miracles our relatives boasted about? I think God has abandoned us.” Have you ever felt like God is not with you in your time of trouble? Have you doubted? God wants us to tell him just what we feel; God can handle our hurts and raw fears. Rather than keep our eyes on our circumstances, God wants us to turn toward him.
The next moment in this scene is spectacular! We learn it is not an angel, but the Lord Jesus who is standing before Gideon. He said something we ourselves may need to hear in our times of trouble: ”Go - in the strength you have!” Just as you are right now, God can use you. God can accomplish such good through us if we stop protesting or making excuses, and simply say, “God, every day, I make myself available and go in the strength I have!”
Gideon, who was not yet in that place of humility, practically bragged about how his clan was the weakest and he was the last child born in his large family. The Lord paid no attention to those objections, saying instead: “I will be with you, and through you will strike down all of the Midianites.” The weaknesses Gideon named were handily countered by the formidable power of God.
I find this to be a good reminder that God sees beyond our limits, faults, and past failures. While we mull over our shortcomings, and insecurities creep in making us intimidated, God wants to clear away all of that debris with this astounding Good News: God promises to be with us. That makes all the difference, doesn’t it? We are never alone in our struggles; the battle never depends on our own strength. If only we will trust God to empower us.
Gideon was still struggling with doubt, so he asked God to confirm his spoken promises with a sign. Judges 6: 36-40 says:
36 Gideon then tested God, saying, 37 “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.” 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.
39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.
When I consider these two tests (with wet fleece and then dry fleece) that Gideon gave God, I’m not sure whether I should admire his boldness or see him as foolishly testing God. Either way, what is certain is this: our God is very, very patient when we human beings make demands. I do appreciate that the second time Gideon wanted a fleece miracle he begged God not to get angry. He had some self-awareness, it would seem!
You and I know people who might also want to trust in God, but they have their doubts, like Gideon. People don’t come to that stuck place all at once; there can be layers of experiences or teachings that have put up a barrier between them and God. Let’s remember we need to be “slow to get angry” when others test us with their skepticism, or even try to provoke us in some way. A gentle answer, as the Bible says, often calms people’s animosity.
Do you know why it’s important to be patient and model the spirit of Christ? When we do that, we are being a godly witness. We’re showing people what a holy life of faith looks like; it often impresses them and makes them curious. “Why do you have such joy? How do you have such peace in your heart? What helps you cope with all the hard things going on in your life?” These are earnest questions that can open a door, giving us the opportunity to talk about God. We don’t need to be sitting in the shade of an oak tree; wherever we are, plenty of people will share their questions and worries, doubts and fears with us if we are open and compassionate. Be alert to these moments and make the time to listen, care, and give them truthful guidance. Offer to pray with them if you feel comfortable. Be God’s messengers.
You might be used of God to change their lives… or the lives of many, many people.
We learn that the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon after seeing the miracles with the fleece, and he called together a massive army to defeat their enemies. The once cowardly Hebrew, from the smallest clan, an unlikely hero, is now ready to be the “mighty warrior” God has declared him to be. Listen to the Word recorded in Judges 7:2-8.
You and I know people who might also want to trust in God, but they have their doubts, like Gideon. People don’t come to that stuck place all at once; there can be layers of experiences or teachings that have put up a barrier between them and God. Let’s remember we need to be “slow to get angry” when others test us with their skepticism, or even try to provoke us in some way. A gentle answer, as the Bible says, often calms people’s animosity.
Do you know why it’s important to be patient and model the spirit of Christ? When we do that, we are being a godly witness. We’re showing people what a holy life of faith looks like; it often impresses them and makes them curious. “Why do you have such joy? How do you have such peace in your heart? What helps you cope with all the hard things going on in your life?” These are earnest questions that can open a door, giving us the opportunity to talk about God. We don’t need to be sitting in the shade of an oak tree; wherever we are, plenty of people will share their questions and worries, doubts and fears with us if we are open and compassionate. Be alert to these moments and make the time to listen, care, and give them truthful guidance. Offer to pray with them if you feel comfortable. Be God’s messengers.
You might be used of God to change their lives… or the lives of many, many people.
We learn that the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon after seeing the miracles with the fleece, and he called together a massive army to defeat their enemies. The once cowardly Hebrew, from the smallest clan, an unlikely hero, is now ready to be the “mighty warrior” God has declared him to be. Listen to the Word recorded in Judges 7:2-8.
7 Early in the morning, 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3 Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.
4 But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there.”
5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” 6 Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.
7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.
I wonder what a 32,000 strong army would look like camped up in the mountains? I imagine Gideon and all of Israel felt confident with that immense coalition. But God, who sees into every heart, knew that 22,000 of them didn’t want to face a fierce enemy, especially ones mounted on camels and well-trained in war tactics. God sent them back to their homes and we become aware that God is now turning things around and testing Gideon!
God had him watch how thirsty soldiers drank from a stream, then told Gideon who else among them would be released from service. 300 men remained. We have no mention of Gideon doubting God; he has finally stopped badgering God and saying he isn’t qualified to lead. He’s crossed over from unbelief to complete trust in the God who has done miracles before his very eyes. He is believing that victory will come but he has no idea how that will happen, or even when.
What Gideon is trusting in is God’s intervention. Do you believe that God intervenes in the situations of our lives? Does God enter in when the odds against us seem impossible? God absolutely can and does do this, and the reason for that is plainly explained in this passage. God wants the world to see that it is not our resources that save the day, it is God alone.
Just when we feel stretched to believe God is about to do the impossible, God surprises Gideon (and us) one more time. This account is contained in Judges 7:8-21.
God had him watch how thirsty soldiers drank from a stream, then told Gideon who else among them would be released from service. 300 men remained. We have no mention of Gideon doubting God; he has finally stopped badgering God and saying he isn’t qualified to lead. He’s crossed over from unbelief to complete trust in the God who has done miracles before his very eyes. He is believing that victory will come but he has no idea how that will happen, or even when.
What Gideon is trusting in is God’s intervention. Do you believe that God intervenes in the situations of our lives? Does God enter in when the odds against us seem impossible? God absolutely can and does do this, and the reason for that is plainly explained in this passage. God wants the world to see that it is not our resources that save the day, it is God alone.
Just when we feel stretched to believe God is about to do the impossible, God surprises Gideon (and us) one more time. This account is contained in Judges 7:8-21.
Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 9 During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands.”
13 Gideon approached the camp just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.”
14 His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon the Israelite. God will give the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”
15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” 16 He placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.
19 Gideon’s men reached the edge of the camp in the middle of the night. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars. 20 Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” 21 All the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.
Gideon was sleeping well, confident God would help them to victory. He didn’t expect God to wake him up and tell him to sneak into the enemy’s camp, but he obeyed. He took a trusted companion with him - his name was Purah, which means bough of a tree, or tree branch. They overheard a man interpret another’s dream, saying the Israelites would defeat them. Gideon worshipped God right there in the camp of his enemies!
He returned, woke up all 300 of his men and shared what happened. Then came a twist no one expected, not in the camp of their enemy and perhaps not even the soldiers themselves. Gideon was so confident in the victory God would give them, he didn’t charge down with swords drawn. Instead, he put his men all around them carrying torches hidden inside large clay jars. At his signal they blew their many trumpets and broke the earthen jars, startling the men in the valley below. It worked, because in the pitch darkness, their enemy panicked and retreated. The Midianites were never again heard from in recorded history. The Israelites descended the mountains and again lived in the lush valleys of the Promised Land. Judges 8:22, 23, 28 says:
He returned, woke up all 300 of his men and shared what happened. Then came a twist no one expected, not in the camp of their enemy and perhaps not even the soldiers themselves. Gideon was so confident in the victory God would give them, he didn’t charge down with swords drawn. Instead, he put his men all around them carrying torches hidden inside large clay jars. At his signal they blew their many trumpets and broke the earthen jars, startling the men in the valley below. It worked, because in the pitch darkness, their enemy panicked and retreated. The Midianites were never again heard from in recorded history. The Israelites descended the mountains and again lived in the lush valleys of the Promised Land. Judges 8:22, 23, 28 says:
8 22 The Israelites rejoiced and said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.”
23 But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.”
28 During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace forty years.
Gideon was the most famous and effective of all the judges for Israel. He declared he would not be king, that the Lord should be the one who ultimately rules over us.
Here are some life-application lessons for us this week:
Here are some life-application lessons for us this week:
- If you’ve ever felt like a weak vessel, facing difficult circumstances, remember Gideon. He obeyed when told “Go - in the strength you have!”
- Gideon also dared tell God his doubts and fears, admitting it felt like God had “abandoned” him and his people. God was patient and helped Gideon come to believe in Him. That’s a good reminder for us to be patient when people share their doubts and fears about God with us.
- Each faith journey develops over time. That was true for Gideon, who was insecure and an unlikely hero, yet he came to have a rock-solid trust in God. He was like an earthen vessel, not very impressive at first sight, but hidden inside was a bright flame of light and faith!