Searching for an answer, I ran across many articles concerning that topic. All said basically the same. Here are a few of them:
Answer: The concept of “putting out a fleece” comes from the story of Gideon, a leader in Israel, in Judges 6. When God directed him to gather the Israelite troops to defeat the Midianite invaders, Gideon wanted to be sure it was really God’s voice he was hearing and that he understood His directions. He asked God for a sign to prove that this was truly His will. So he put out a piece of wool overnight and asked God to make it wet while keeping the surrounding dirt dry. God graciously did as Gideon asked, and in the morning the fleece was wet enough to produce a bowl of water when it was wrung out.
But Gideon’s faith was so weak that he asked God for another sign—this time to keep another fleece dry while making the surrounding dirt wet. Again, God complied, and Gideon was finally convinced that God meant what He said and that the nation of Israel would have the victory the angel of the Lord had promised in Judges 6:14-16. Putting out the fleeces was the second time Gideon had asked for a sign that God was really talking to him and would do what He said He would.
There are several lessons for us in Gideon’s story. First, God is incredibly gracious and patient with us, especially when our faith is weak. Gideon knew he was treading on dangerous ground and was trying God’s patience by asking for multiple signs. After the first fleece sign, he said, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make one more request” (Judges 6:39). But our God is a merciful, loving and patient God who knows our weaknesses. However, the story of Gideon should be for our instruction and not serve as a model for our own behavior. Jesus said on two occasions that “a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign” (Matthew 12:39; 16:1-4). His point was that the signs He had already given them—His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, healings, and miracles—were sufficient for them to respond to the truth, if truth was what they were seeking. Clearly, it was not.
Another lesson of Gideon’s fleeces is that those asking for signs are exhibiting a weak and immature faith that won’t be convinced by the signs anyway! Gideon had received more than enough information without the sign of the fleeces. God had told him he would have victory (v. 14), and He had responded to a previous request for a sign with a miraculous display of power in fire (v. 16). Still, Gideon asked for two more signs because of his own insecurity. In the same way, even when God does provide the sign we ask for, it doesn’t give us what we crave because our wavering faith still doubts. That often leads us to ask for multiple signs, none of which give us the assurance we need, because the problem isn’t with God’s power; it’s with our own perception of it.
A problem with following Gideon’s example of fleece-setting is that it does not take into account that our situation and his are really not comparable. As Christians, we have two powerful tools that Gideon lacked. First, we have the complete Word of God which we know is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God has assured us that His Word is all we need to be “thoroughly equipped” for anything and everything in life. We do not need experiential proof (signs, voices, miracles) to verify what He has already told us in His Word. Our second advantage over Gideon is that every Christian has the Holy Spirit, who is God Himself, residing in his heart to guide, direct, and encourage. Prior to Pentecost, believers had the Old Testament only and were directed externally by God’s providential hand. Now we have His complete Bible and His indwelling presence in our hearts.
Rather than seeking signs via fleeces, we should be content to know God’s will for us in every situation every day: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16); “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18); “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). If these things characterize our lives, the decisions we make will be in accordance with God’s will, He will bless us immeasurably with His peace and assurance, and there will be no need to put out fleeces or ask for signs.
https://www.gotquestions.org/prayer-fleece.html
===========================================================
Knowing God’s Will: Is It Okay to “Put Out the Fleece”?
Dan Vander Lugt
Is it okay to “put out the fleece” to know God’s will, like Gideon did in Judges 6:36-40?
Gideon is listed as one of the heroes of the faith ( Hebrews 11:32 ), and he “put out the fleece,” not only once, but twice! However, before we follow Gideon’s example, we should take a closer look at some of the specific circumstances in his case, and then consider what other Scripture passages say about looking for a sign from the Lord.
Considering the dangerous and frightening nature of the angel’s instructions, it is easy to understand Gideon’s weakness of faith and his desire for further confirmation. But, even though we can sympathize with his fears, Gideon himself realized that he was risking God’s anger when he asked for further signs ( Judges 6:39 ). In light of Gideon’s trepidation in the face of such a seemingly impossible task, God graciously granted him the further signs he requested. However, this shouldn’t be taken as an indication that God normally approves of such a method for confirming His will ( James 1:5-8 ).
Scripture elsewhere clearly warns against asking for such signs. The Old Testament law itself prohibited putting God to the test ( Deuteronomy 6:16 ), and this specific principle was confirmed by Jesus when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness ( Luke 4:12 ). In 1 Corinthians 10:9, the apostle Paul pointed to severe consequences that resulted from such doubt ( Numbers 21:6 ), and Luke describes how the father of John the Baptist was struck mute ( Luke 1:18-20 ) for doubting the message of an angel.
Of course, it is important to define what a person means when they say that they are “putting out the fleece.” If they mean that they are carefully studying their situation for general indications of God’s leading, they are doing what they should. But if they are demanding, like Gideon, that God give them immediate guidance by fulfilling a specific “sign” that they impose on Him, they are putting God to the test in a way that is forbidden.
Like sorcerers and occultists who try to control supernatural forces through spells and incantations, we may think we can control God with such demands. But our heavenly Father has no interest in making His supernatural power accessible to our whims. His goal is for us to know Him personally, in a relationship founded and dependent upon faith ( Proverbs 3:5-8 ).
https://questions.org/attq/knowing-gods-will-is-it-okay-to-put-out-the-fleece/
-==============================================================
Should Christians use "fleeces"?
The Question:
We have heard several people speak of "fleecing" God for answers or making clear that it is in fact God's will. We know that Gideon placed a fleece before God (literally) for a confirmation but we also understand we are not to test God. So the question is: how do we go about fleecing God and is it proper to place specific conditions or timetables before him?
Caution - use fleeces sparingly (Part 1)
It is indeed true that Gideon placed a fleece before the Lord but it is important to remember that God was the initiator in that scenario. That makes a huge difference when we consider using a similar method to find God's will in a matter for our life.
In Judges 6, the story is told of Gideon who became a Judge in Israel. God asked him, a farmer with no military training whatsoever, to deliver his people from the Midianite oppressors. This was so far out of Gideon's comfort zone or box of thinking that he needed to make sure it was really God doing the asking. So he devised a system of tests revolving around the wool fleece of a sheep to confirm God's will.
If God calls you to a ministry or mission or specific task in life, I believe God will always be willing to graciously give you confirmation from a number of sources. The bigger the call, the more confirmation you may need to feel assured that God is with you in something you may consider impossible.
Other than that I would say; CAUTION - USE FLEECES SPARINGLY. As far as how to design them, that's one of the inherent problems and is the reason they can cause confusion and doubt rather than clarification.
What if you say: "Lord if I don't have a date before the end of the month I'll know you want me to remain single." That type of fleece is riddled with problems and won't likely produce good results. Also, we usually put time frames on things when we get tired of waiting for answers. But God cannot be manipulated nor forced into our timeframes and over time we become too smart to even try.
Next: So how can I find out God's will for my life?
Some other ways (Part 2)
The best way to get direction from God is to be willing to do some hard work. It's not usually cut and dry (like a fleece), but sticky. We have to press in and get down to business with God and seek him. We have to be genuinely willing to hear his answer instead of only looking for what we want.
When seeking God for direction on any issue in your life, be prepared to hear the Lord in multiple ways. I have found that many times the answer comes as a consensus of all the ways I'm trying to hear. For instance, while reading God's Word, does a particular scripture jump out which may shed some light? And then while praying, does a spontaneous thought come to mind which gives a little more insight? Perhaps a friend makes an off hand comment which adds positively to the mix. Maybe a door closes which takes one choice out of contention. Perhaps a dream reveals the answer.
Little by little, inch by inch, God's will is discerned. The next time we come up against another decision, it may go a little differently. Rather than be frustrated by this, realize that God does not want a rote relationship with us. He is a real person and he wants us to communicate with him. He wants us to care more about him than the answer we are seeking. If he does things the same way all the time, we tend to see him as a vending machine.
One thing to keep in mind every time you seek God's direction: God wants you to hear his voice. He even promises that you WILL hear it. "When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." (John 10:4)
http://hannahscupboard.com/ST-fleeces.html
===========================================================
2nd part to follow
Answer: The concept of “putting out a fleece” comes from the story of Gideon, a leader in Israel, in Judges 6. When God directed him to gather the Israelite troops to defeat the Midianite invaders, Gideon wanted to be sure it was really God’s voice he was hearing and that he understood His directions. He asked God for a sign to prove that this was truly His will. So he put out a piece of wool overnight and asked God to make it wet while keeping the surrounding dirt dry. God graciously did as Gideon asked, and in the morning the fleece was wet enough to produce a bowl of water when it was wrung out.
But Gideon’s faith was so weak that he asked God for another sign—this time to keep another fleece dry while making the surrounding dirt wet. Again, God complied, and Gideon was finally convinced that God meant what He said and that the nation of Israel would have the victory the angel of the Lord had promised in Judges 6:14-16. Putting out the fleeces was the second time Gideon had asked for a sign that God was really talking to him and would do what He said He would.
There are several lessons for us in Gideon’s story. First, God is incredibly gracious and patient with us, especially when our faith is weak. Gideon knew he was treading on dangerous ground and was trying God’s patience by asking for multiple signs. After the first fleece sign, he said, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make one more request” (Judges 6:39). But our God is a merciful, loving and patient God who knows our weaknesses. However, the story of Gideon should be for our instruction and not serve as a model for our own behavior. Jesus said on two occasions that “a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign” (Matthew 12:39; 16:1-4). His point was that the signs He had already given them—His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, healings, and miracles—were sufficient for them to respond to the truth, if truth was what they were seeking. Clearly, it was not.
Another lesson of Gideon’s fleeces is that those asking for signs are exhibiting a weak and immature faith that won’t be convinced by the signs anyway! Gideon had received more than enough information without the sign of the fleeces. God had told him he would have victory (v. 14), and He had responded to a previous request for a sign with a miraculous display of power in fire (v. 16). Still, Gideon asked for two more signs because of his own insecurity. In the same way, even when God does provide the sign we ask for, it doesn’t give us what we crave because our wavering faith still doubts. That often leads us to ask for multiple signs, none of which give us the assurance we need, because the problem isn’t with God’s power; it’s with our own perception of it.
A problem with following Gideon’s example of fleece-setting is that it does not take into account that our situation and his are really not comparable. As Christians, we have two powerful tools that Gideon lacked. First, we have the complete Word of God which we know is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God has assured us that His Word is all we need to be “thoroughly equipped” for anything and everything in life. We do not need experiential proof (signs, voices, miracles) to verify what He has already told us in His Word. Our second advantage over Gideon is that every Christian has the Holy Spirit, who is God Himself, residing in his heart to guide, direct, and encourage. Prior to Pentecost, believers had the Old Testament only and were directed externally by God’s providential hand. Now we have His complete Bible and His indwelling presence in our hearts.
Rather than seeking signs via fleeces, we should be content to know God’s will for us in every situation every day: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16); “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18); “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). If these things characterize our lives, the decisions we make will be in accordance with God’s will, He will bless us immeasurably with His peace and assurance, and there will be no need to put out fleeces or ask for signs.
https://www.gotquestions.org/prayer-fleece.html
===========================================================
Knowing God’s Will: Is It Okay to “Put Out the Fleece”?
Dan Vander Lugt
Is it okay to “put out the fleece” to know God’s will, like Gideon did in Judges 6:36-40?
Gideon is listed as one of the heroes of the faith ( Hebrews 11:32 ), and he “put out the fleece,” not only once, but twice! However, before we follow Gideon’s example, we should take a closer look at some of the specific circumstances in his case, and then consider what other Scripture passages say about looking for a sign from the Lord.
Considering the dangerous and frightening nature of the angel’s instructions, it is easy to understand Gideon’s weakness of faith and his desire for further confirmation. But, even though we can sympathize with his fears, Gideon himself realized that he was risking God’s anger when he asked for further signs ( Judges 6:39 ). In light of Gideon’s trepidation in the face of such a seemingly impossible task, God graciously granted him the further signs he requested. However, this shouldn’t be taken as an indication that God normally approves of such a method for confirming His will ( James 1:5-8 ).
Scripture elsewhere clearly warns against asking for such signs. The Old Testament law itself prohibited putting God to the test ( Deuteronomy 6:16 ), and this specific principle was confirmed by Jesus when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness ( Luke 4:12 ). In 1 Corinthians 10:9, the apostle Paul pointed to severe consequences that resulted from such doubt ( Numbers 21:6 ), and Luke describes how the father of John the Baptist was struck mute ( Luke 1:18-20 ) for doubting the message of an angel.
Of course, it is important to define what a person means when they say that they are “putting out the fleece.” If they mean that they are carefully studying their situation for general indications of God’s leading, they are doing what they should. But if they are demanding, like Gideon, that God give them immediate guidance by fulfilling a specific “sign” that they impose on Him, they are putting God to the test in a way that is forbidden.
Like sorcerers and occultists who try to control supernatural forces through spells and incantations, we may think we can control God with such demands. But our heavenly Father has no interest in making His supernatural power accessible to our whims. His goal is for us to know Him personally, in a relationship founded and dependent upon faith ( Proverbs 3:5-8 ).
https://questions.org/attq/knowing-gods-will-is-it-okay-to-put-out-the-fleece/
-==============================================================
Should Christians use "fleeces"?
The Question:
We have heard several people speak of "fleecing" God for answers or making clear that it is in fact God's will. We know that Gideon placed a fleece before God (literally) for a confirmation but we also understand we are not to test God. So the question is: how do we go about fleecing God and is it proper to place specific conditions or timetables before him?
Caution - use fleeces sparingly (Part 1)
It is indeed true that Gideon placed a fleece before the Lord but it is important to remember that God was the initiator in that scenario. That makes a huge difference when we consider using a similar method to find God's will in a matter for our life.
In Judges 6, the story is told of Gideon who became a Judge in Israel. God asked him, a farmer with no military training whatsoever, to deliver his people from the Midianite oppressors. This was so far out of Gideon's comfort zone or box of thinking that he needed to make sure it was really God doing the asking. So he devised a system of tests revolving around the wool fleece of a sheep to confirm God's will.
If God calls you to a ministry or mission or specific task in life, I believe God will always be willing to graciously give you confirmation from a number of sources. The bigger the call, the more confirmation you may need to feel assured that God is with you in something you may consider impossible.
Other than that I would say; CAUTION - USE FLEECES SPARINGLY. As far as how to design them, that's one of the inherent problems and is the reason they can cause confusion and doubt rather than clarification.
What if you say: "Lord if I don't have a date before the end of the month I'll know you want me to remain single." That type of fleece is riddled with problems and won't likely produce good results. Also, we usually put time frames on things when we get tired of waiting for answers. But God cannot be manipulated nor forced into our timeframes and over time we become too smart to even try.
Next: So how can I find out God's will for my life?
Some other ways (Part 2)
The best way to get direction from God is to be willing to do some hard work. It's not usually cut and dry (like a fleece), but sticky. We have to press in and get down to business with God and seek him. We have to be genuinely willing to hear his answer instead of only looking for what we want.
When seeking God for direction on any issue in your life, be prepared to hear the Lord in multiple ways. I have found that many times the answer comes as a consensus of all the ways I'm trying to hear. For instance, while reading God's Word, does a particular scripture jump out which may shed some light? And then while praying, does a spontaneous thought come to mind which gives a little more insight? Perhaps a friend makes an off hand comment which adds positively to the mix. Maybe a door closes which takes one choice out of contention. Perhaps a dream reveals the answer.
Little by little, inch by inch, God's will is discerned. The next time we come up against another decision, it may go a little differently. Rather than be frustrated by this, realize that God does not want a rote relationship with us. He is a real person and he wants us to communicate with him. He wants us to care more about him than the answer we are seeking. If he does things the same way all the time, we tend to see him as a vending machine.
One thing to keep in mind every time you seek God's direction: God wants you to hear his voice. He even promises that you WILL hear it. "When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." (John 10:4)
http://hannahscupboard.com/ST-fleeces.html
===========================================================
2nd part to follow
Last edited:
