The concept of “laying out a fleece” comes from the story of Gideon in Judges 6 in the Old Testament. Gideon was unsure if God really wanted him to lead Israel into battle against the Midianites, so he asked God for signs to confirm His will. On two occasions, Gideon put out a fleece of wool overnight and asked God to make it wet while keeping the ground dry, or vice versa. Both times, God responded miraculously to confirm that He was calling Gideon to lead. So “laying out a fleece” has come to mean asking God for a supernatural sign to guide an important decision.
There are differing views on whether this practice is acceptable for Christians today. Those who support the practice argue that Gideon’s story shows it’s valid to humbly ask God to confirm His will. They say God may graciously provide confirmation to strengthen a person’s faith. Those opposed argue Gideon lived in a unique time before the Bible was complete, so we should rely on God’s revealed Word rather than subjective signs. They also say “putting God to the test” shows improper faith (Deut 6:16).
There are good arguments on both sides. Perhaps some guiding principles are:
- Prayerfully examine Scripture first rather than immediately demanding signs from God.
- “Fleeces” shouldn’t be used for frivolous or selfish purposes but only for major life decisions.
- Any confirming sign must align with God’s Word and character as revealed in the Bible.
- Don’t turn fleece-laying into a superstitious ritual; trust God, not the sign itself.
- Remember that God is not obligated to provide miraculous signs; His clearest guidance is in Scripture.
The debate continues over whether laying out a fleece is appropriate for Christians today. There are sincere believers on both sides of the issue. Each person must study the Scriptures, pray and decide before God if this practice has a place in their walk with Christ. Whatever conclusion one reaches, it’s vital to have a submissive heart willing to follow God’s leading in His Word as the Spirit gives wisdom and understanding.
Understanding Gideon’s story
To better evaluate the concept of laying out a fleece, it helps to examine the original story in Judges 6 in depth. Israel had fallen into idolatry and sin, so God allowed the Midianites to oppress them for seven years. When the Israelites cried out for deliverance, God sent the angel of the Lord to commission Gideon to rescue Israel by leading an army against this enemy. But Gideon struggled to believe this calling was from God.
First, Gideon asked the angel for a miraculous sign to confirm the message was truly from God. The angel caused fire to flare out from a rock and consume Gideon’s offering (Judges 6:17-21). After this, Gideon still lacked confidence and put out a fleece requesting dew only on the fleece, not the ground around it. God graciously granted this sign (Judges 6:36-40). But Gideon tested God yet again, asking for the sign to be reversed – dew only on the ground, not the fleece. And again, God demonstrated His patience and mercy by reversing the sign as requested (Judges 6:39-40). Only after these multiple miraculous confirmations did Gideon finally obey God’s call.
This account shows Gideon was initially doubtful and fearful about God’s command. His repeated requests for signs reflected weak faith and reluctance to follow God’s clear direction. Yet God still worked graciously through this fearful man to bring deliverance. Gideon’s story highlights God’s patience and willingness to meet people where they are at to build their trust in Him.
Arguments for the validity of laying out a fleece
Those who support the concept of laying out a fleece today make the following arguments:
- Biblical precedent – Since God granted Gideon’s request for miraculous signs without any hint of disapproval, some argue there is a valid precedent for asking for confirming signs from God concerning His will in major decisions.
- Strengthening faith – An undeniable sign from God, though not absolutely necessary, can mightily embolden someone’s faith and resolve to obey God despite fears or uncertainties.
- Humility – As long as it’s not testing God, asking Him to provide confirmation can reflect humility – acknowledging one’s own limitations in discerning God’s voice accurately at all times.
- God’s mercy – While God wants us to trust His Word, He is also rich in mercy and may graciously accommodate the sincere doubts and frailties of those who seek His will.
- Subjective guidance – In issues where Scripture does not give absolute clarity, a sign may help clarify God’s specific guiding for a person’s context when sought prayerfully.
Those who defend the practice emphasize they are not making signs mandatory for God’s people. But they argue that, in the right spirit, seeking confirmation of God’s leading through a fleece can be valid today just as in Gideon’s time.
Concerns about laying out a fleece
Here are some common objections raised by those who believe laying out a fleece is unwise or inappropriate for Christians today:
- Presumption – Demanding signs implies God owes us confirmation and caters to our whims. This presumes on God’s grace.
- Doubt – Needing a sign often reflects weak faith in God’s Word. As Jesus said, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign” (Matt 12:39).
- Testing God – God calls us to follow Him in faith based on His Word, not divert Him to meet our personalized demands. That may be “putting God to the test” (Deut 6:16).
- Subjectivity – Basing decisions on subjective feelings from a “sign” opens the door to self-deception and confusion.
- Sufficiency of Scripture – God’s Word thoroughly equips us for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17); we should rely on it rather than doubtful experiences.
- Uniqueness of Gideon’s context – Gideon lived in an era before God’s full revelation when miraculous signs were more common.
These warnings encourage healthy caution against looking to fleece-like signs as normative guidance from God. Scripture must remain the steadfast anchor for discernment of God’s will.
Principles for wise discernment
Laying out a fleece is controversial, with sincere believers disagreeing. Perhaps these principles can help inform wise discernment:
- Thoroughly examine Scripture first rather than immediately seeking a sign from God.
- Acknowledge that Scripture alone – not experiences – is absolute and authoritative for guidance.
- Recognize the sufficiency of Scripture by default rather than demanding God accommodate our subjectivity.
- Ask God to strengthen faith in His promises rather than needing “proof” that caters to our limitations.
- Trust God’s heart of mercy rather than viewing Him as obligated to meet demands for signs.
- Caution against superstitious views of “fleece-laying” as a magic formula to control God.
- Use wisdom and discernment if considering a fleece – assess motives and alignment with Scripture.
- Remember God is free and not bound to provide confirming signs; His Word can be trusted fully.
- Act according to whatever level of faith God grants – don’t demand artificial props as prerequisites for obedience.
With wisdom and humility before God, believers can thoughtfully navigate this complex issue. The Word and Spirit give discernment for each season while anchoring us in God’s abiding truth.
Healthy uses of “fleece”
For those who in good conscience consider laying out a fleece appropriate at times, some healthy guiding principles include:
- Use only for major life decisions, not trivial matters.
- Make sure the “fleece” itself aligns with Scripture and God’s character – don’t demand anything inappropriate or selfish.
- Acknowledge that God is not obligated to provide a sign – release outcomes to His wisdom.
- Submit the final decision back to God in prayer; don’t make the sign itself the ultimate authority.
- Focus on God’s desire to guide His children, not demanding personal confirmations according to formula.
- Ask God to speak through His Word and Spirit rather than requiring an experience.
- Thank God for His patience and grace in kindly revealing His will.
If laying out a fleece is done with right motives and perspective, it may aid someone in discernment without becoming a demanding test of God.
Examples in Scripture
Along with Gideon, a few other biblical examples relate closely to the fleece concept:
Abraham’s intercession for Sodom
Genesis 18:23-33
Abraham respectfully approached God to ask if He would spare Sodom from judgment if there were enough righteous people in the city. He asked incrementally for God to spare Sodom for the sake of 50, then 45, 40, 30, 20, and finally 10 righteous. This reveals a humility and sincerity, yet God still judged Sodom.
The parting of the Jordan River
Joshua 3
God instructed Joshua that He would miraculously part the Jordan River for the Israelites to cross into the Promised Land. But Joshua told the priests to step into the river first before God actually parted the waters. This showed trust paired with confirmation of God’s promise.
Gideon’s two signs
Judges 6:36-7:15
As already discussed, Gideon put out a fleece asking for alternating signs of dew and dryness to confirm God’s call. God graciously granted these requests despite Gideon’s lack of faith.
Jesus’ responses to doubters
Matthew 12:38-39, 16:1-4
When Pharisees and religious leaders demanded miraculous signs from Jesus to authenticate His messiahship, Jesus rebuked them for spiritual blindness rather than accommodating their demands. His strong words caution against demanding signs from God to appease doubt.
These examples provide biblical precedence that illuminates perspectives on both sides of the fleece debate. They reveal nuances applicable to each unique situation.
Samson’s unwise request
In contrast to Gideon, an example of an unwise request for confirmation is Samson demanding God empower him one last time after God’s Spirit had departed from him (Judges 16:28-30). This fatal request came from selfishness and presumption rather than humility before God. This reminds us that discerning God’s will requires wisdom and right motives.
Healthy dependence on God
Ultimately, laying out a fleece centers on how much we depend on God’s Word versus subjective feelings or experiences. It highlights the tension between faith in God’s promises and our frail limitations that make us long for tangible assurance.
As we wrestle with these dynamics in the depth of our relationship with God, He invites us to draw nearer to Him. Like Gideon, we may come with weak faith, doubts and hesitancy. Yet God still extends transforming grace to meet us there. His lovingkindness woos us to childlike trust, even when we cannot see the full picture.
Rather than rigid formulas, our Good Shepherd leads gently onward. We can rely on His wisdom to make the next waypoints clear through Scripture as we walk hand-in-hand with Him by faith. Step by step, the Spirit faithfully confirms the Father’s true voice until we mature in discernment through regular time in God’s Word.
Our fleece is to know Christ Himself. As we remain in Him, the peace He promises will untangle knotty decisions from the inside out (John 14:27). Fixing our eyes on Jesus, not arbitrary signs, ushers us into the rest of God’s good and pleasing will.