'Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on
the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I
know that Thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as Thou hast
said.'--JUDGES vi. 37.
The decisive moment had come when Gideon, with his hastily gathered raw
levies, was about to plunge down to the plain to face immensely
superior forces trained to warfare. No wonder that the equally
untrained leader's heart heat faster. Many a soldier, who will be
steadfastly brave in the actual shock of battle, has tremors and
throbbings on its eve. Gideon's hand shook a little as he drew his
sword.