Confirming the Will of God
January 10, 2021
Commentary
When it was confirmed that Gideon was the one guilty of tearing down the altar of Baal the followers marched on Gideon’s house and demanded that he be turned over to them for execution (v. 30). Joash, Gideon’s father responded by saying, “If (Baal) is a God let him contend for himself” (v. 31). That same day, Joash changed Gideon’s name to Jerubbaal (v. 32). After the crisis had passed Gideon became a hero and many of the tribes began to rally around him.
During this time the Midianites and their allies swarmed across the valley of Jezreel and a swift military defense was needed (v. 33). The power of the Holy Spirit had fallen on Gideon and he was prepared to deliver Israel (v. 34). And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and the Manassites were called to follow him; and he sent messengers to Asher, to Zebulun, and to Naphtali, and they came up to meet them (v. 35). However Gideon’s faith was not constant and so the Lord reassures Gideon that He will deliver Israel through him by the wet and dry fleece of wool in the threshing floor (vv. 36-40). It is too bad when God’s people begin to trust circumstances to lead them instead of relying on God’s Word. The patience of the Lord is remarkably shown as He deals more tenderly and graciously with His children than most earthly fathers would do.
Application
When is the last time I failed to trust God to bring me through a difficult circumstance and I put out a fleece, so to speak, and asked God to do certain things to prove He was with me. God wants my faith to be in Him and not circumstances. (John 20:29).
Judges 6:30– 40 (NET)
30 The men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son, so we can execute him! He pulled down the Baal altar and cut down the nearby Asherah pole.” 31 But Joash said to all those who confronted him, “Must you fight Baal’s battles? Must you rescue him? Whoever takes up his cause will die by morning! If he really is a god, let him fight his own battles! After all, it was his altar that was pulled down.” 32 That very day Gideon’s father named him Jerub Baal, because he had said, “Let Baal fight with him, for it was his altar that was pulled down.”
33 All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east assembled. They crossed the Jordan River and camped in the Jezreel Valley. 34 The Lord’s Spirit took control of Gideon. He blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. 35 He sent messengers throughout Manasseh and summoned them to follow him as well. He also sent messengers throughout Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet him.
36 Gideon said to God, “If you really intend to use me to deliver Israel, as you promised, then give me a sign as proof. 37 Look, I am putting a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece, and the ground around it is dry, then I will be sure that you will use me to deliver Israel, as you promised.” 38 The Lord did as he asked. When he got up the next morning, he squeezed the fleece, and enough dew dripped from it to fill a bowl. 39 Gideon said to God, “Please do not get angry at me, when I ask for just one more sign. Please allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make only the fleece dry, while the ground around it is covered with dew.” 40 That night God did as he asked. Only the fleece was dry and the ground around it was covered with dew.