Fleece

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.  This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew."  (Judges 6:39)

You hang around the church long enough and you will here someone say, 'I'm going to lay a fleece.'  This usually means they are going to test a call they have sensed from God by asking God for some confirming action.  'Laying a fleece' is based on Gideon's story. While people may have sincere motives on discerning or confirming God's call in this way, it is based on an unfortunate reading of the text.

Gideon laid a fleece not once but twice in a desperate attempt to aviod God's call, not to confirm it. The unmistakable presence and voice of an angel God had commisioned Gideon to deliver Israel from its enemies (vv.14-16).  God had promised that he will be with Gideon and later the Spirit of God falls on Gideon.  Gideon had the commission and the means to fulfil it.  He also had his excuses.

God's call and commission for us is obvious. We have clear instruction in his word (Micah 6:8, Matthew 28:16-20) .  God has given us pretty clear instructions about what he requires of us.  We don't have to lay a fleece to hear or confirm God's call.  And yet we can waste our time chasing after God's call, when there is adventure enough in the Micah and Matthew commissions should we chose to obey them. Hearing God's call is not about our self-actualization; it is about God's glory.  Don't get me wrong, I do believe that God commissions men and women for particular tasks at particular times.  But usually when such a call comes it is usually are unmistakable voice of God, as it was for Gideon.  Struggling to hear God's call?  Don't worry, you have already heard it.  Enough with the excuses - just do it!

Comments

[Andrew]

"Hearing God's call is not about our self-actualization; it is about God's glory."

Nice.

[Stu]

Thanks!