# Day 80

# The Sign of Gideon’s Fleece

Judges 6:33–7:1

The Lord’s Spirit came upon Gideon. He sounded a trumpet and sent men to the tribes of Israel. “Come help us drive out the Midianites,” they called. And Israel sent warriors to Gideon.

The Midianites came against Gideon with a mighty army. From the slopes of Mount Gilboa, Gideon looked down on Midian’s camp.

“O Lord God,” Gideon prayed, “will you use me to save Israel? I’m going to lay a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. Give me this sign: Tomorrow, dew will be on the fleece but not on the ground. Then I’ll know that we’ll defeat the Midianites.” The next morning, the fleece was dripping with dew. The ground around it was dry.

“O Lord, don’t be angry with me,” Gideon said. “But give me one more sign. Tomorrow morning make the fleece dry and the ground wet with dew. Then I’ll have no doubt.” The next morning, the ground was wet and the fleece was dry.

So Gideon and his troops rose early and camped by the spring at Harod. The Midianites camped north in the valley of Jezreel.

Questions: How did Gideon know that God was with him? Was God angry or patient with Gideon?