A dark period in Israel’s history where the nation repeatedly forsook the Lord, suffered the consequences, cried out to God, were delivered, and failed to learn their lesson is described in Judges 2:11-17:
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.
When one of these periods of discipline was accomplished, God desired Gideon to deliver His people from their Midianite oppressors (Judg. 6:1-12). A stranger appeared to Gideon while he was threshing wheat by a winepress to hide it from the Midianites, who would likely confiscate his crop (Judg. 6:4-6, 11). Sometimes God sent strangers to communicate His message (Gen. 18:1-2; Heb. 13:2). When the stranger expressed that God was with Gideon, he replied with his doubts about whether the Lord was still with Israel (Judg. 6:12-13). When told he would deliver Israel, Gideon also had doubts as to his own fitness as a leader (Judg. 6:15). Gideon then asked for a sign by which he would know that God would use him to deliver Israel; God granted this request (Judg. 6:17-24).
God has always given signs to accompany a new message from Him (Ex. 4:1-9; 19:16-18; Mark 16:15-20; Heb. 2:3-4). God does not expect us to listen to a stranger without proof (1 John 4:1). Instead, He gives signs that provide evidence in order that we might believe (John 14:11; 20:30-31; Acts 2:22).
After rallying a group of 32,000 men to meet the vast army of Midianites (135,000 men) and their allies who were gathered in the valley of Jezreel, Gideon asked for more signs. Placing a piece of wool fleece on the ground, he asked the Lord to make it wet with dew while the ground remained dry (Judg. 6:36). The next morning, God granted this sign as well (Judg. 6:38). Then Gideon pleaded that the Lord would not grow angry with him, and he asked for another sign: the reverse of the previous sign – that the fleece be dry and the ground wet (Judg. 6:39). God granted this request that night (Judg. 6:40). The men gathered with Gideon likely saw the wet fleece wrung out in the morning and then the dry fleece when the ground was wet with dew after the next night. These signs gave them faith to follow Gideon as their commander, for if God could make a difference between the fleece and the floor, He could make a difference between them and the Midianites.
There is nothing wrong with investigating and wanting proof to have an assured faith. True followers of God are not without their doubts. We may have questions regarding scientific research in our day, why we suffer, the accuracy of the Bible, or many other topics that challenge our faith. We should be free to ask them, to help one another find answers, and continue to be faithful when we do not have all the answers. However, when proof is provided, we need to accept it. Some are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). We can know the truth (John 8:32). We must not be like the hard-hearted religious leaders who kept asking Jesus for a sign (Matt. 12:38, 39; 16:4), after He had provided plenty because they were blinded by their prejudice (Matt. 15:12-14; John 9:39-41). We should remember the charge of 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” If we are lovers of the truth, we should not be afraid of thorough investigation. Test everything and be discerning (1 John 4:1; Rev. 2:2). If we believe a lie, it can cost us our souls (2 Thess. 2:10-12). The book of Judges shows the tendency to turn quickly out of the way of truth. People may forget what has been clearly proven in the past. They may pick at the way of truth only to swallow a false belief system whole. Be equally discerning of the alternatives. Doubt your doubts.
God spoke by various means to His people in other ages, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son (Heb. 1:1). We have no need to wait for an angel to reveal God’s message to us, for Jesus, who is far greater than the angels (Heb. 1:4), has revealed such a great salvation to us through those men who heard Him (Heb. 2:2). God has provided the proof by signs, wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 2:4). Jesus said His apostles were taught all truth by the Spirit (John 16:13). The Spirit also reminded them of what Jesus had said to them personally (John 14:26). Jesus is the final and greatest revelation of God to mankind; we must hear Him (Matt. 17:5; Jn. 1:18). Though Jesus is not physically and personally here to speak to us, He has published His last will and testament – the New Testament (Heb. 9:15-17). When we prove all things honestly, we realize the Bible stands the test of scrutiny. It is the Good Book. Let us hold fast to it.
–Mark Day