Human level. On a human level, what is stressed repeatedly in this section is Gideon’s fear and sense of inadequacy for the task—his lack of willingness to trust Yahweh’s word. Consequently, he is in constant need of reassurance and moral support. Gideon is apparently a man of great potential and perhaps natural ability but lacks significantly in faith. The fleece incidents are far from being a model for the discernment of God’s will. As we have already discussed, these are expressions of doubt and lack of faith. By his own admission, Gideon already knew God’s will and promise, for this had
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