Judges 6:39 - Gideon said to God, “Don’t let your anger be kindled against me, and I will speak but this once. Please let me make a trial just this once with the fleece. Let it now be dry only on the fleece, and on all the ground let there be dew.”

Generated Verse: Judges 6:39

What does "Judges 6:39" mean?


This verse, Judges 6:39, is Gideon continuing his attempts to confirm God's call to lead Israel against the Midianites. It builds on the previous verse where he asked for a sign involving a fleece of wool left on the threshing floor. Here's a breakdown:

"Gideon said to God, “Don’t let your anger be kindled against me, and I will speak but this once.": Gideon is being humble and acknowledging that he might be testing God's patience. He's asking God not to be angry with him for requesting yet another sign. He understands that his repeated requests could be seen as a lack of faith. The phrase "but this once" emphasizes his plea to grant him just this one additional request.

"Please let me make a trial just this once with the fleece.": Gideon is reiterating his request for a sign using the fleece of wool. This underscores that this is a special trial designed to demonstrate God's will.

"Let it now be dry only on the fleece, and on all the ground let there be dew.”: This is the crucial part of the request. Gideon is asking for a condition opposite to the first sign he requested (where the fleece was wet and the ground dry). He wants the fleece to be completely dry while the surrounding ground is covered in dew. This is a very specific and unusual request that would be hard to explain through natural causes, providing Gideon with even more assurance that God is truly with him and confirming the call.

In summary, the verse reveals Gideon's insecurity and his desperate need for reassurance. He understands the importance of the task ahead of him and is seeking irrefutable confirmation from God before taking on the responsibility of leading Israel into battle. It also highlights God's patience and willingness to meet Gideon where he is in his faith journey, even granting repeated requests for signs.

The repeated requests highlight a few key theological points:

God's patience: God demonstrates patience with Gideon's doubts and provides him with the reassurance he needs.
Human weakness: The story acknowledges human weakness and the struggle with faith, particularly in the face of daunting tasks.
God's sovereignty: Despite Gideon's doubts, God ultimately empowers him to accomplish his purpose. This emphasizes God's sovereignty and ability to work through flawed individuals.

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