by J. Randal Matheny

Gideon was a reluctant savior. Called to be a "judge" during the Dark Ages of Israel's history, he considered himself too small to answer the call of the Lord's Angel (Judges 6.17-18). Later, on the eve of battle against the Midianites, he asked for a sign of victory by putting a piece of wool on the threshing floor.

According to Gideon's request, God wets the wool with dew and leaves the ground dry. He further permits yet another test, this time leaving the wool dry while the ground is covered with dew.

The sad moment is often used as an example of what Christians can do, by "putting out the fleece." But Gideon's request is no model for knowing God's will.

First, Gideon already knew what God wanted of him, for the Lord's Angel had informed him. He himself recognized that he wasn't looking for guidance but merely confirmation of the information he'd already been given (6.36).

Second, Gideon's request arose from doubts and fears. His was not an act of faith, but weakness. The Angel had appeared and spoken to him. The Angel had shown his divine origin by consuming Gideon's offering with fire from the rock. The Spirit of the Lord had come upon Gideon. With so many miraculous demonstrations from God, this leader had both a word and a confirmation that he was acting according to God's will. But it still wasn't enough.

Third, the Lord disapproves of those who seek for signs. When Zacariah asked for a sign, the angel caused him to be mute until John's birth. He rebuked him with this explanation, "because you did not believe my words" (Luke 1:20).

When the Jews asked for a sign as proof of Jesus' words, he chided them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet" (Matt. 12:39).

Jonah's story is contained in Scripture. It is to there that Jesus sends us. And it is there we will discover the will of God for our lives.

In this case, Gideon is a prime example of what we should not do.