Gideon couldn’t believe that God was actually calling him to lead Israel against their enemies. He felt that he was too insignificant to have such a high calling. Of course, this is God’s metier, His usual method of operation.
So, as we know, Gideon tested God, asking for reassurance: “You want me to do what?” (Judges 6:37)
Now, this seems like a mighty handy strategy to me. I know a woman who does this regularly; she calls it “throwing God a fleece.” She might pray to God, “Lord, if You want me to do this shopping today and spend this money, let me find a parking space right in front of the store,” or, “If You don’t want me talking to this guy or seeing him any more, don’t let him answer the phone.” This might seem silly or worse, because she uses this for silly things. But what about the idea of using fleeces? Can we still use fleeces today?
I constantly find myself asking God for direction. It feels as though I live at the intersections of good, better, and best choices, all seemingly perfectly acceptable, Christian choices. And I’m constantly saying, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” I anguish over every little thing, wanting to only do what He wants me to do.
Somehow, though, I don’t think God expects to direct every single step we take. But, especially for big decisions, wouldn’t a fleece be really handy to determine God’s will for our lives?
15 responses so far ↓
krislinatin // March 8, 2007 at 10:57 am
is there a certain scripture for gideon?
I have never heard of fleece ing God, but Im leary of it.
sounds like this woman is mocking or testing God.
Which is of course not a good thing.
I guess I will wait on the scripture reference….
novicechristian // March 8, 2007 at 11:03 am
Duh. I can’t believe I forgot to put that in there! It’s in Judges 6, and the “fleecing” verses start at 37. Sorry, Kristina. But read it, it IS testing God, it seems like that’s definitely what he did.
kclick // March 8, 2007 at 1:53 pm
All I can tell you is that God doesn’t always send supernatural confirmation of His will… even for really big decisions.
But if you are intent on putting out a fleece, make sure it really is one. What God did for Gideon was a clear supernatural sign (twice), not just a convenient coincidence.
Front row parking places or someone answering or not answering a phone call do not qualify as a true, supernatural sign from God (like Gideon’s fleece). At least that’s the way I see it.
heaintthroughwithmeyet // March 8, 2007 at 1:59 pm
First of all I dont know what a fleece is…might be cause I am germna…..second, it works for me too, I do them under the breath prayers, and mostly God answers them. And it is not a coinsidence because when I went to that store multiple times looking for a perticular item, they never had it, Then I had one of my prayers before I entered the store, And there it was!
So I do believe in the power of prayer for small and big things!
Andrea
krislinatin // March 8, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Cath!
im gonna do a post on this, because i discovered a whole bunch of stuff…
can you wait until monday or do you want me to e-mail a copy to you?
novicechristian // March 8, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Cool, Kris. If you could email a copy, I’ll post it here. Thanks!!
Cath
cumby // March 8, 2007 at 7:55 pm
From my limited understanding of God’s Word, I would say “no” to fleeces. I think it might be slightly insulting to the Holy Spirit from whom we are supposed to get our answers now.
Ha Tikvah // March 9, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I would tend to agree with Cumby. While I have many good solid Christian friends who do do this the odd time over major decisions they’re really unsure of taking, I’m reticent to trust it – I feel it can be dangerous sometimes to look at certain actions God allowed His people to take knowing it would give Him the Glory, and assuming we can then do exactly the same. Having said that scripture alone speaks for Him – I certainly can’t and wouldn’t thus state that it’s wrong to do so, but more that I think I’d be very cautious about using it wrongly. While Gideon may have done it for that particular decision in question, I doubt he then decided that’s what he’d do with every one thereafter. I think once you’ve heard God’s voice in respect of His Will for you on one decision, you know better how to hear him for the next without having to resort to additional means of pushing Him to confirm it in this manner. Blessings, TKR
novicechristian // March 10, 2007 at 11:08 am
Hi TKR, and welcome. Thank you for your comments. I searched my Bible for evidence that Gideon may have done any fleecing over future decisions, and could not find any! It wasn’t the last time God had to prove something to him, though; Gideon apparently needed a lot of reassurance in the beginning, then went on to step forward with confidence.
Catherine
novicechristian // March 10, 2007 at 11:13 am
Wow, all really good points to ponder. I agree that a fleece, if used at all these days, should only be done for supernatural signs, and I know that we are supposed to get all of our guidance from the Holy Spirit these days. I have trouble discerning that whisper sometimes, though, and thought this method of seeking God’s will would come in handy.
novicechristian // March 12, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Update: See Kristina’s study on this subject at her site:
http://krislinatin.wordpress.com/2007/03/12/condescension-of-god/
Great stuff!
WhoreChurch // March 13, 2007 at 7:32 am
Fleecing God is clearly Biblical, though we see no examples of it after Pentecost. The last example in the Bible, I believe, is when the Apostles are trying to figure out who should replace Judas.
And there are some scholars who believe they made a mistake there–that Paul was the “real” replacement for Judas.
I don’t believe much of anything I can do sincerely will offend God. Sure Nadab and Abihu were sincerely offering unauthorized incense to the Lord and He struck them down, but when you consider that I am completely righteous 24/7 in Christ (Rom 6:4), having met all the requirements of the law, how can I any longer displease God when I am acting sincerely?
I’m putting up a series of posts addressing some of these issues at my blog if you guys are interested.
Good post NC.
WhoreChurch // March 13, 2007 at 7:35 am
One more thing: It’s possible we use fleeces because we are either too scared (“if God speaks to us we will die – Deut around chaps 4-6), or because we aren’t willing to pay the high price of discipline in learning to discern the Spirit’s voice, or that we just don’t all have a prophetic gift to hear the Voice.
I don’t mean any of that to produce self-loathing (see Rom quote above) but to simply explain why we may have trouble knowing the will of God in a given situation.
Janice Cash // August 27, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Yes, I believe that we should listen to the Holy Spirit, now we have the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, I don’t believe that we should put a fleese out if we want to seek an answer from God. God will speak to our heart if we will listen…..
jimsave // March 24, 2009 at 8:27 am
Fleeces , however one percieves is really you so desirous of God’s guidance and confirmation which also equals his counsel. however a fleece is used it is rwally a confirmation, Jesus elaborated this by saying a thing is confirmed by 2 or three witnesses, however that witness is, a sincere Christ follower wants to please the master. after 32yrs, I honestly wished I got the fleece mentality on making decisions that hurt me deeply, all because I trusted someone who had a word, or a flesh mentality minister, The objective is to be staying close to the Shepherd and running from strangers. If a lady communicates about a parking space confirmation or what else she chooses who has the right to judge her. Some people require more
confirmation than others, different stages nevertheless, but same desire to give the final choice to the master. Marriages,careers, churches,relationships and places to live are biggies a Christian should be seeking confirmation big time, one bad decision can alter your future. Trust me I am speaking from experience, and no amount of God where were you will give you back the past.