Declared and Confirmed

Scripture Basis: Judges 6:11–16; 25–40

Central Verse: “And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have I not sent thee?” (Judges 6:14)

Our attention in the Book of Judges turns now to the estimable figure of Gideon, perhaps one of the two greatest judges of Israel. Here at the beginning of Gideon’s saga, we must also confront the issue of obeying the will of God for our lives—a matter of no small concern to Christians. For this is the challenge that faced the timid young man who lead Israel into battle against the Midianites. Gideon had to overcome his fear and accept God’s call on his life.

The Bible warns us to “hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not” (Prov. 8:33). When we are given divine direction, it is folly for us to start walking another way. But fear is a hindrance to our obedient compliance: It can cause us to doubt, to forestall, and ultimately to abandon the Word we have been given. So, an example of escaping the stultifying influence of fear is invaluable to us.

Now look at Gideon. We are introduced to him trying to thresh wheat in the pit of a winepress. This is a task properly done on a hilltop plateau, so that the wind will assist in the separation of the grain from the chaff; but that would have left our hero in plain sight if the Midianites had attacked. Keeping a low profile, Gideon is visited by an angel, who addresses him as a “mighty man of valor” (God calleth those things which be not as though they were), and informs him that he will help save Israel. But how is someone too frightened to do his chores going fulfill this prophesied role as a warrior?

What Gideon does is what we should do when fears and doubts assail: he asks for confirmation. He asked the angel to provide his “credentials” to convey this message (ver. 17), which prompts the heavenly envoy to summon a miraculous fire to consume a burnt offering (ver. 21). In an even more famous passage, Gideon uses the fleece for God to attest to his calling as the liberator of the Israelites (verses 36–40). The judge left us the example of asking for a sign to steady our resolve to do God's will.

Some people believe that seeking corroboration of a prophetic word is evidence of a “lack of faith,” but such super-piety is unwarranted according to scripture. Remember how God rebuked Ahaz for not choosing a sign to confirm His promises to him (Isa. 7:10–13)? The Lord is intimately aware of our proclivity to doubt. He wants us to seek confirmation to drive fear and doubt away. It is His tool to help us meet His demands on our lives.

Questions:
1. How had fear manifested itself in Gideon’s life? How did it threaten his God-given mission?
2. Why should believers who are given a prophetic word seek corroboration of it?
3. Is there ever an instance when God would not approve of our asking for a sign?

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