What Does It Mean to “Put Out a Fleece” … or Three?

When the angel of the LORD came to Gideon in Judges 6, Gideon wasn’t entirely convinced that he was supposed to lead the people against the Midianites. He asked God to give him a sign: he would put a wool fleece on the threshing floor, and if it was wet in the morning, he would know that God was actually directing him.

But the next morning, after he wrung out a bowlful of water, he wondered: maybe the fleece was naturally absorbing all this water. Maybe this wasn’t a miraculous sign after all, but rather just a day of extreme condensation in the dry Middle East.

So he asked for the opposite: let the fleece be dry, but the ground be covered with dew.

That’s exactly what happened the next morning, so Gideon was willing to believe and go forth.

Today people still put out fleeces before the Lord.

One of our Workplace Prayer clients had a property owner approach him. “Do you want to buy the property two doors down from your current office?”

Our client said to the Lord: “If this is from you, I have three fleeces. First, I need it to be this price (below market value). Second, I need the current tenant to agree to stay for a certain amount of time, so I don’t have to find a new tenant right away. Third, I need the current owners to hold the contract.”

Later that same day, the owner called and said, “Here’s what I’m thinking. I will sell you this building for [the exact price he had asked for]. The current tenant will agree to continue renting. And I will hold the contract.”

Three fleeces, completely answered.

And our client had already picked out a name for the property holding: Jehovah Jireh, The LORD will provide.

We love it when our clients talk to God and he replies.

God, what you did in this story, we say: do it again, Lord!

Thank you that you, at times, make your will so unmistakable. Please do that for us. We give you praise, Lord. Thank you. Amen.

To the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever,

Amy

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