The “Dew” and the “Do” of Heaven

Welcome to “Theology Thursday”. Let me forewarn you, I’m talking about Gideon...again.

Maybe you are aware that I’ve been studying Gideon for a while now. I didn’t think I’d have so much in common with the guy when I started but it’s become more and more clear that we could actually be blood relatives. I mean, his actions are so shockingly similar to mine. God speaks, giving clear directions, but Gideon wants proof before moving forward. Then, not only does Gideon ask for one sign but begs for another just to be sure.

Certainly does sound like me.

You too?

Read Judges 6:33-40 for all the juicy details but here's the bottom line of it all: Gideon placed a swatch of fleece on the ground of a threshing floor and asked the Lord to cause the fleece to be wet with dew and the ground around it to be completely dry in the morning. If God obliged, it would be a sure sign that He was granting divine approval for Gideon to go into battle.

When Gideon awoke to find that God had answered precisely as he had outlined, he flipped the script and ask God to do it again - just in reverse this time - the fleece dry and the ground wet.

God did precisely that.

While my kiddos were off playing with their cousins today, I did some digging into Gideon’s second request - for the fleece to be dry while the ground was wet. I just wondered if there was any theological significance that might be a treasure chest of wisdom for you and I today.

Turns out, there is.

Fleece is naturally more absorbent than dirt. So, it is possible that Gideon suspected this to be the reason that the fleece had been wet and the ground dry the day before. Maybe the ground had just dried quicker. So, he now chooses a more miraculous test to reassure him of God’s answer.  If the ground was wet and the fleece dry - now that would be truly unbelieveable.

Before we move forward I want to remind you of something and then explain something else. First, remember that by the time we get to this whole fleece encounter, Gideon is known as “Jerubbaal” which means “The Baal Fighter”. His primary mission, aside from disarming the Midianites, is to dismantle the nation’s misplaced loyalty to the idol.

So, let’s take a closer look at what He was aiming to dismantle.

Baalism was based on a belief system that miracles were impossible. As a boy, Gideon was probably taught that God may have created everything but that it was kept functioning by the simple, impersonal processes of nature. The universe, a baalist would subscribe, was self-sustained and there was not an eternal being who was actively involved in supporting and maintaining it. While the Baalist believed that it was possible to stimulate or manipulate nature/baal to respond in a certain way, they firmly believed that the world and its happenings were independent of God’s involvement. The personal and intimate relationship that Yahweh offered was contrary to what Baalism suggested as a possibility. To them, god was a neutral, anonymous being that was not involved in the daily activities of their lives. There was no need to pray for certain things because the processes that nature put in place were set and could not be altered. To a baalist, it was possible to retain dew in a naturally more absorbent fabric like fleece. This made sense because it was nature’s way. It would, however, refute the logical process of the natural order for the water resistant ground to retain moisture while the fleece did not. This would be a miracle...and miracles didn’t happen.

The very fact that Gideon asked for the dew to fall on the ground but not the fleece was a sign that a transformation was happening in his own heart. His mind was changing about who God was and what He was capable of doing. He was no longer convinced that Baal’s way was the best way to view the world. Maybe just maybe, the “dew” from heaven would reveal that Yahweh was involved in the affairs of people and would “do” something to assure victory in the impending battle.  

Baalism sounds like such an ancient and distant religion that we tend to think our modern society has no more inklings of. But consider the things that you and I don’t take to God in prayer because we have become used to the usual processes that we experience daily. Our prayerlessness, about the ins and outs of daily living, points to the crafty spirit of baalism that runs rampant in our culture. We have been subtly duped into believing that God will not do anything on our behalf. We often live by the motto: “this is the way things have always been and will always be” and then choose not to voice them to our loving, heavenly father.

But Yahweh was not and has never been baal. He could and would intervene in a very personal and intimate way. Miracles were possible because there was a Miracle Worker. “The Baal Fighter’s” response from Yahweh would be proof of that.

And sure enough, the next morning the fleece was as parched and dry as a scorched dessert in the daylight while the glistening sparkles of fresh dew shone on the ground of the threshing floor.

I wonder what astounding miracles lay in wait of your prayers, my friend. You are a baal-fighter. Your life and mine is to be proof that Yahweh exists and is not only able but willing to intervene in our lives in personal and miraculous ways. Fight the spirit of baal by “letting your request be made known to God” (Phil 4:6). Let the “dew” of heaven reinvigorate you and inspire you to stand against this deceiving spirit in your family, church and community. Then like Gideon, prepare to be astounded at all that He will “do” for you.

So, today, tell me about some of the normal processes of your life that may have been untouched by your prayer recently? What are some of the "day-in and day-out" nuances of your existence that you've disconnected from the care or concern of God. We'll be privileged to join you in lifting those things up to God this week.

Blessings,

Priscilla