One does not have to go very far into the Old Testament to see that anything and everything that could happen to the Israelites would, could, and did happen….and in every case it was THEIR fault.

Why? What did they do? They did what most of us followers of Jesus when we are in one of the peaks instead of one of those valleys? When things are going great are we automatically studying harder, praying more deeply to get ready so we can be prepared for the next valley? No? Neither did the Israelites, they did what most do – they got through a hard time, things got a little easier so they put it on “cruse” they let off the gas a little bit – they got complacent. Their cycle, not unlike ours looks something like FAILURE – JUDGEMENT – REPENTENCE – DELIVERENCE – RESTORATION – FAILURE – JUDGEMENT – REPENTENCE….get the idea?

The text that I have been engaging in gives us an unlikely hero (typical, isn’t it) that starts out the exact opposite of how he ends up – isn’t our God great that way. Look back for a moment and reflect on the you before Jesus compared the you with Jesus – hopefully they are not the same. If they are then I challenge you to evaluate your relationship with our King, if they are vastly different then I challenge you to ask our King what is next for you, be open to it, and hold on!!

Pay attention to how consistent the words “fear” and “if” come up in this text – then ask yourself in that Steve Ercle voice “Do I do that?”

The Call of Gideon

[11] Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. [12] And the angel of the LORD (can you almost picture the Angel of the LORD with His head in His hand almost with a slight hint of laughter while He is calling this man hiding in a winepress a mighty man of valor?) appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”
(Judges 6:11-12 ESV)

Imagine the sight of the “mighty man of valor” as he is threshing wheat in a small winepress because he is afraid someone will see him and steal what he has. The LORD is watching our HERO throw grain up and having it fall on his own head….courageous?

Was this hero who was scared of his own shadow going to tear down the altar? Lead the 300? Challenge the Angel of the LORD and in verse 21 feel the true fear of the Lord.

[21] Then the angel of the LORD reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. And the angel of the LORD vanished from his sight. [22] Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the LORD. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! (Suddenly Gideon was overtaken by the realization of the FEAR of the LORD) For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.”
(Judges 6:21-22 ESV)

There is a term that is used called “putting out the fleece” the origin is from our hero (not sure where his head is at this point)…

The Sign of the Fleece

[36] Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, [37] behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” [38] And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. [39] Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me (what would you say when counseling this man, when he says I hope God doesn’t get mad at me but I want to test Him for a SECOND time) ; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.” [40] And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.(Judges 6:36-40 ESV)

The theme is continually tested, continually sharpened, and ultimately God is much more patient and much more loving then we ever could be (speaking from the author’s perspective.) I would ask you – what is the fleece in your life that you are, maybe without knowing, testing God? Is it a new job, a move to a different home, the future of your marriage, or even your relationship with God altogether? Don’t test Him brother / sister but surrender to Him and let Him be in charge for awhile….with love, AG

Jesus,
I pray that any and all testing that we put on you would be revealed to us and removed as painful as that potentially could be Father it would bring us one inch closer to you, if it does than it is worth it all the more. Sanctify us Father, I pray that because we have all of the Holy Spirit in us, that we would give ALL of ourselves to the Holy Spirit and be a people of Jesus, a people for Jesus, a church for nothing but JESUS!!! It is in your precious name that I pray
Amen