After the Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites for seven years due to their disobedience, God chose Gideon to save them. Gideon felt unimportant and asked God for signs involving a wool fleece to prove He was truly calling him to this mission. God patiently answered Gideon by making the fleece wet while the ground was dry, and then vice versa, confirming that He would be with Gideon to destroy the Midianites.