On a more serious but related note: We're currently studying Judges in Sunday school. On a plain reading of Judges 6:1-40, there was no confusion about God's will. God told Gideon in no uncertain terms what He wanted Gideon to do. In fact, Gideon reiterates this by stating "as You have said." But for whatever reason, the Word of the Lord seemed to be insufficient. Therefore, the fleece was an act of unbelief , not an act of inquiry . It wasn't an act of faith but evidence of lack of faith. So why do Christians "put out a fleece" to "find" the will of God? Does anyone know where and how this practice originated? I'm curious because it's based on a complete misreading of the text. And lest you think I am pointing the finger, I've put out my share of "fleeces" too. However, I do have a theory. My hypothesis is a well-meaning Sunday school teacher was very uncomfortable with the moral ambiguity of the judge...