In Judges 6:34, we read that the Holy Spirit had come upon Gideon. Yet in verses 36 through 40, Gideon insists on laying down fleece before doing what God has called him to do.
I think Jackman has it right when he observes, “Gideon was going through agonizing self-doubt, produced by the fear that he might be a victim of his own bright ideas or grossly inflated illusions. Objectively, he had the angel visit, confirmed by the fire consuming his offering. There was also the divine enabling by which the army was gathered together. But at that moment, neither of these was enough. In spite of God’s Word and God’s power, Gideon wanted to be really sure, and so he hit upon the idea of the fleece.”
The most remarkable thing to me is that God gave him both fleeces. He didn’t knock him down for his lack of faith or rebuke him. He affirmed His call on Gideon’s life. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.”
It’s so good to know that the God the Psalmist talks about is the same God we serve. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him, for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are but dust.”
If you, like me, struggle with self doubt. We can find hope and encouragement in how God dealt with Gideon.