Gideon now admits that he is testing God. This is much like Israel’s testing of the Lord in the wilderness wanderings.1 Testing God is what you do when God’s clear word is not enough, and you want more. Gideon, polite though he may be, is trying to manipulate God. That God complies with this man’s impudent and imprudent testing is a testimony to God’s grace. But clearly, Gideon is still faithless and fearless.
2
39 Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.”