Ten Minute Bible Talks Devotional Bible Study - Are You Waiting For A Sign? | Historical Books | Judges 6:36-40

Episode Date: February 24, 2025

Do you ask God for signs? Is that what Gideon was doing? Are you putting conditions on your faith? In today's episode, Keith shares how Judges 6:36-40 reminds us that God has given us the ultimate sign in his Son. Read the Bible with us in 2025! This year, we’re exploring the Historical Books—Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings. Download your reading plan now. Your support makes TMBT possible. Ten Minute Bible Talks is a crowd-funded project. Join the TMBTeam to reach more people with the Bible. Give now. Like this content? Make sure to leave us a rating and share it so that others can find it, too. Use #asktmbt to connect with us, ask questions, and suggest topics. We'd love to hear from you! To learn more, visit our website and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @TenMinuteBibleTalks. Don't forget to subscribe to the TMBT Newsletter here. Passages: Judges 6:36-40

Welcome to 10-minute Bible Talks, where we connect the Bible to your life. In the time it takes to get to work. I'm Keith Simon. A long time ago, a friend of mine asked God for a sign to prove that he was real. The guy was at a real crossroads in his life, uncertain about what exactly he should do, and he decided to put God to the test. He prayed something like, God, if you're real, if you really care about me, then prove it, make something unmistakable happen today.

and then nothing happened. There was no sign, no voice from the heavens, no sudden clarity, just silence. And for my friend, that was it. He walked away from the faith, convinced that God either didn't exist or didn't care. He'd made his demand, put God on trial, and when God didn't show up the way he expected, he moved on. Maybe you've been there too. I know this story sounds a little dramatic, but I've heard plenty of other stories like it. And maybe if we're honest, we've done something similar.

Maybe we've said something like, God, if you want me to take this job, then let them call me today. God, if you want me to date this person, let me run into them at the grocery store. God, if you're listening, give me a sign. Which brings us to Gideon and his fleece. Gideon was an unlikely leader. We've seen in the last few days that he was afraid, he doubted himself. When God called him to lead Israel against the Midianites, he was so unsure of himself that he needed constant reassurance from God. And by the time we reach judges chapter 6 versus 36 to 40,

Gideon has already seen God do incredible things. God sent an angel to speak to him. But Gideon still hesitates. He's still unsure if God is really going to do what he said. So Gideon lays out a fleece and asks for a sign. Here we pick it up in verse 36. Gideon said to God, if you will save Israel by my hand, as you have promised, look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor.

If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said. And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day. He squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew, a bowl full of water. But then Gideon asks for another sign, this time with the opposite result. I told you he needed constant reassurance. Here's verse 39. Then Gideon said to God, do not be angry with me.

let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. But this time, make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew. That night, God did so. Only the fleece was dry. All the ground around was covered with dew. At first glance, this seems like Gideon is doing exactly what my friend did, demanding a sign from God.

You might be familiar with what Jesus said when he was tempted in the wilderness. He said, do not put the Lord your God to the test. Jesus rebuked Satan for tempting him to manipulate God into proving himself. So that raises the question. Wasn't Gideon doing the same thing? Wasn't he putting the Lord to the test? Well, I don't think so. If Gideon's request was truly about testing God in a way that stemmed from doubt and unbelief,

we'd expect God to respond with righteous anger. But instead of rebuking Gideon, God answers his prayer. Why? Well, because Gideon wasn't asking God to help him make a career choice or a dating decision. He wasn't treating God like a cosmic magic eight ball. No, Gideon was asking a much bigger question. Gideon wasn't so much putting the Lord to the test as he was asking the Lord, who are you? See, Gideon lived in a time when Israel was surrounded by nations that worshiped gods like Bail and Ashera.

These gods were tied to the forces of nature, storms, fertility, the changing seasons. The people believed that these gods were fickle, that they needed to be manipulated in order to bless them. So when God called Gide Israel, he was struggling with something much bigger than just fear. He was wrestling with the nature of God. Who is the God that is calling me? Are you really the one you say you are? Are you really sovereign over nature itself? Are you different from all the other gods?

That's why Gideon's fleece wasn't a random test. He specifically asked for something that. that would demonstrate God's absolute control over nature. One night, due only on the fleece. The next night, due on the ground, but not on the fleece. And God did it. Not because Gideon was testing him, not because Gideon was trying to avoid faith,

but because Gideon was desperately seeking to know the God who had called them. So let me ask you, do you see the crossroads, the tough decisions in life as an opportunity to know God more? Or are you just looking for an answer? Do you come to God to know him? to understand his character to grow in faith, or do you come to him like a vending machine, hoping that if you press the right buttons, you'll get what you want.

God isn't a tool for decision-making. He's not a fortune teller. He's the creator of the universe, the savior of your soul, the king of kings. He wants a relationship with you, not one based on superstition. See, a relationship with God will lead us into action, but superstition will leave us complacent. In 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte led one of the most ambitious military, campaigns in history, he invaded Russia with over 600,000 men. Napoleon had the most powerful army in the world, and he had a plan to conquer Russia. But before marching forward, Napoleon

hesitated. You see, Napoleon was obsessed with omens and signs, and he believed his success was tied to supernatural confirmations. So before he'd make any key decisions, he would wait for signs. Sometimes he would delay and even stall military action until he saw what he believed. He was a sign of divine approval. So before marching into Russia, Napoleon saw what he thought was a favorable sign. It was an eagle flying overhead. Convin that was a good omen, he pressed forward. But of course, the military campaign was a disaster.

His army wasn't prepared for the brutal Russian winter. His supply lines collapsed, and by the time he retreated, over 500,000 of his men were dead. Napoleon's obsession with signs didn't lead to victory. It led to ruin. How often do we do the same thing? How often do we wait around for some sort of supernatural confirmation instead of walking in the wisdom God has already given us? Napoleon had years of military training. He had the advice of brilliant generals. He had common sense that told him invading Russia in the winter is a really bad idea. But he ignored all that. Instead, he looked for a sign. We do the same thing when we ignore scripture, when we ignore the advice of wise friends, ignore what we already know about God's care. character, all because we're waiting for some sort of miraculous sign, miraculous confirmation.

But here's the truth. We don't need to ask for a sign. We already have it. Gideon needed confirmation because he lived in a time before Christ. But we have something greater. We have the finished work of Jesus. Hebrews 1 tells us, in the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son. is the ultimate revelation of who God is. If we want to know God is good, we look at the cross. If we want to know God is powerful, we look at the resurrection. If we want to know God is with us, we remember that Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father. Gideon asked for a sign, and God graciously gave it to him. But today, we don't need to ask for fleeces or omens.

We don't need to say, God, if you love me, prove it. Because he already has. So what about you? Are you waiting for God to send a sign before you trust him? Are you putting conditions on your faith saying, I'll believe if? Or are you willing to trust that he's already given you everything you need? Instead of laying down a fleece, lay down your fears. Instead of waiting for a sign, look to the cross. Instead of saying, God, prove yourself. Say, God, help me trust what you've already done.

Because the God who led Gideon is the same God leading you today. And that is enough. Amen. Thank you.