Trust Without Sight: The Paradox of Faith and Signs
In this article, you will learn how Judges 6:38 contradicts Proverbs 3:5, Matthew 16:4, John 20:29, 2 Corinthians 5:7 and Hebrews 11:1. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The story of Gideon in Judges 6:38 presents an intriguing narrative. Gideon, uncertain of his mission from God, asks for a sign. God responds by making a fleece wet with dew while leaving the ground dry, which reassures Gideon that God is indeed with him. However, this event seems to contrast with several other biblical teachings about faith and trust.
Proverbs 3:5 highlights the importance of trusting in the Lord wholeheartedly and warns against relying solely on our own understanding. While Gideon sought physical confirmation from God, this proverb suggests a more implicit faith, one that doesn't require visible proof. This notion is echoed in Matthew 16:4, where Jesus rebukes the demand for signs by describing such a generation as "evil and adulterous." This criticism suggests a fundamental difference in the expectations of faith: trust that is inherent rather than dependent on signs.
Furthermore, John 20:29 presents a moment where Jesus praises those who believe without seeing. This sentiment contrasts sharply with Gideon’s need for proof—a dichotomy between faith based on evidence and unyielding belief. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 5:7, which speaks about living by faith and not by sight, suggests an ideal where faith transcends the need for tangible validation.
Finally, Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as being confident in what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This depiction of faith offers a stark contrast to Gideon’s situation, where assurance stemmed from a visible sign.
These contradictions remind us of the complexity of human faith and the challenges of holding belief amidst uncertainty. How do we reconcile the need for assurance with the call to trust implicitly? This question challenges both ancient and modern believers, as it probes the depths of our reliance on God, with or without visible signs.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Judges 6:38 | And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. |
| 2. | Proverbs 3:5 | Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. |
| 3. | Matthew 16:4 | A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. |
| 4. | John 20:29 | Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed. |
| 5. | 2 Corinthians 5:7 | (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) |
| 6. | Hebrews 11:1 | Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [substance: or, ground, or, confidence] |