Judges 6:38

Judges 6:38 describes the miraculous fulfillment of Gideon's first request for a divine sign to confirm that God would indeed save Israel through him. After placing a wool fleece on the threshing floor overnight, Gideon rose early to find the fleece saturated with dew, while the surrounding ground remained dry. This tangible evidence provided the reassurance he sought before leading the Israelites against the oppressive Midianites.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative of Gideon, one of Israel's judges, called by God to deliver His people from the seven-year oppression of the Midianites. Despite God's clear calling and the powerful sign of the angel consuming his offering (Judges 6:21), Gideon, feeling inadequate and cautious, asked for a specific, undeniable sign involving a fleece. His initial request is detailed in Judges 6:37, and this verse confirms God's immediate and precise answer.

Key Themes

• Divine Confirmation: God, in His patience and condescension, provides a clear, undeniable sign to bolster Gideon's faith and resolve. This was not a test of God, but a request for reassurance from a hesitant leader.
• God's Patience with Human Doubt: Even though Gideon had already received a direct call and a miraculous sign, God graciously accommodated his need for further confirmation. This highlights God's willingness to meet His servants where they are in their faith journey.
• Miraculous Intervention: The specific nature of the miracle—dew on the fleece but not the ground—demonstrated God's absolute control over nature and His commitment to His promises.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water" emphasizes the extraordinary abundance of water collected. The Hebrew word for "wringed" (וַיִּמֶץ, vay-yi-metz) conveys the action of squeezing or pressing out, indicating a significant amount of moisture, far more than typical morning dew might yield from a small fleece. This detail underscores the supernatural nature of the event.

Practical Application

Gideon's fleece story offers several lessons for believers today:

• Seeking God's Will: While we generally walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), God understands our human weakness and may provide confirmation when we genuinely seek His guidance, especially in significant decisions. However, we should be careful not to "test" God or rely solely on signs rather than His revealed Word.
• God's Faithfulness: This account powerfully demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises and His chosen instruments. He equips those He calls, even when they are hesitant or doubtful.
• Patience in Leadership: Leaders, like Gideon, often face immense pressure and doubt. This narrative reminds us that God is patient with our fears and provides the necessary assurance to fulfill His purposes. It's a reminder that God prepares us for the tasks He sets before us, as seen later when He reduced Gideon's army to ensure His glory.