The previous two signs were requested by Gideon. The first time (Judges 6:17) he asked God to prove that it was God himself who was speaking with him. The second time (Judges 6:36–40) Gideon requested the fleece signs. This third time, however, Gideon does not ask God for a sign; rather, it is God who proposes the sign. These stages demonstrate the process undergone by Gideon from his first encounter with God in which he behaves antagonistically until he stands submissive and helpless before God.... The only sign that will indeed strengthen Gideon will be the sign that comes on God’s initiative. The fact that the initiative for the last sign comes from God shows Gideon’s helplessness, and this is in keeping with God’s intention in screening the soldiers (Judges 7:2).
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11 And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outposts of the armed men who were in the camp.