Miracles During Oppression
Recap
Last week we heard about the violent and tragic events of Jephthah and his leadership. Don’t make rash vows that attempt to manipulate YHWH. God is calling us to a much better way that does not attempt to fool Him in order to continue to live for ourselves.
The week before we witnessed a time of peace seen in the Judges Tola and Jair. Then we witnessed the conversation between YHWH and His people. Despite the perfectly just recourse of handing this rebellious people over to complete destruction, we see God grow impatient over their misery. God raises a judge to deliver them.
A Time of Peace
As we pick up the narrative in Judges chapter 12, verse 8, we see a quick succession of three judges, not completely dissimilar to the accounts of Tola and Jair in chapter 10. We see after Jephthah’s death that Ibzan of Bethlehem judges Israel. As Ibzan begins his judgeship, and also for the other two judges in this passage, there is no mention of the Israelites worshiping other gods, or coming under oppression by foreigners, or calling out to YHWH for deliverance. This points to the possibility that this was a generally peaceful and prosperous time for God’s people. Ibzan had thirty sons and thirty daughters that he strategically gives to marry men outside his clan. This was a common enough practice in the time to create alliances through marriage. It is significant to note some contrast takes place as we look at the last few chapters of Judges. Ibzan and Jair in chapter 10 create a Jephthah sandwich. We see Ibzan and Jair who have many children, appear to lead Israel in a literally unremarkable way, with a time of peace. Contrasted by a lengthy and detailed description of Jephthah who led during a time of violence, familial conflict, and no descendants. I believe this points to the emphasis of the downward spiral in this time of Israel’s history, which we should not be surprised by in the least at this point in our series.
Moving ahead we see two more peaceful transitions of judges. Elon the Zebulunite and then Abdon the Pirathonite. As with Ibzan there is no mention of sin or apostasy, and at least for Abdon, there is much wealth and many children. It is important to note that this people deserves no such peace and prosperity. I sometimes fool myself into believing the lie that I am deserving of all that I desire. Truly we deserve death just as this rebellious people did. How much more because we have God’s Word that warns again and again of the consequences of sin! And yet, we are reminded in this section of Judges how our God honours His covenant and promises, far beyond what he is required. This is the God that we see in Judges chapter 12 and this is the God we serve today.
Despite the apparent peace and prosperity of the judges, and I would assume the nation as a whole, we know that this is not going to fool us into letting our guard down. The people are not done teaching how to test God’s faithfulness. The account of Judges has led us to expect, for the most part, a downward trajectory of sin and hardheartedness.
The Typical Sin Cycle?
So I don’t think there is a gasp of surprise as we move on from the rapid fire succession of peaceful judges into a familiar phrase. Reading from Judges 13:1, “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.” They did what? This is the seventh time we have read a phrase such as this. And with this account, leading into the twelfth judge, we see that “the people of Israel AGAIN did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” After God delivered them again and again, they turn their backs on YHWH. As the preacher says in Proverbs, “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” (Pr. 26:11). I can’t help but be reminded of this proverb as I become frustrated reading Judges. Of course we would never be so foolish as to reject the one who is true and chase after what comes short.
Let’s not assume though that we will only be going over the same old cycle with some different characters. There is many new and extraordinary things to take place. Before we see some remarkable child-like faith, I want to point out something significant in the end of verse one. “So the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for FORTY YEARS.” This is by far the longest time recorded in Judges that the people have been oppressed by an enemy nation as a result of YHWH’s judgment. Does the number forty remind you of anything familiar? It brings to mind the forty years that the people of Israel wandered the desert (Numbers 32:13). This period of time signifies, in part, a generation’s worth of time. But its not the last time we will see a period of time measured in forty leading up to a Saviour of God’s people being commissioned.
An Unexpected Visitor
As we move on in our passage, we come to a beautifully crafted account of these events with several characters. There is what appears to be an abrupt change in thought. I am struck by the lack of “normal” sin cycle that has been described in Judges. In other parts of Judges we would normally see the people call out to the Lord and beg for deliverance from their oppressors! But not here. Have the people become fully resigned to their fate? Have they forgotten who is capable of saving them? Are they so steeped in pride that they would rather not crawl back to YHWH who so faithfully loves them?
Regardless of why it is not seen in this passage, we see next a detailed description of people receiving hope in a bleak and tragic situation. We meet Manoah and his wife. They are unable to have children. I don’t know how Manoah and his wife viewed their lack of children, but it is possible that they felt some of the same sorrow that people today feel. In ancient Israel there likely was the view that a lack of children was a sign of God’s displeasure or even a curse from God. In this time of idol worship there would be plenty of god’s to blame for this situation. In this culture as well, where people placed an extremely high value on lineage and children to carry on the family line, a barren couple is some of the greatest to be pitied. But these are the people that God chooses to bring into the world a saviour, a rescuer of God’s people.
God indeed uses those who are weak, broken, and seemingly incapable, for His glory! I want to address the painful reality of childlessness that most of us have either experienced first hand or someone close to us has experienced. For some, you could be married and unable to have kids. I am so sorry for your pain. I know that our God and King, Jesus, weeps with those who weep. He sympathizes and knows your pain more intimately then anyone possible can. I want you to remember that God is not far off. He is near and close to the broken-hearted as we see in Psalm 34. I call you to look to Him. Even if you are racked by grief and feeling like you are incapable of the strength to live, call out to Christ. He is not far off, unaware of your hardship. God has good works prepared for all believers, regardless of the tragedy we may find ourselves in. I want to use this moment to encourage you, regardless of the yearning for children, that your calling and purpose surpasses even this. I ask you to question if you are incapable of fulfilling the commands of God because of your lack of children, or lack of anything! We know from the example of many people in Scripture (included Jesus) that biological children are not required in order to love your brothers and sisters in Christ, to disciple those in your circle of influence, or to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness and into marvellous light” (1Pe. 2:9b). I say these things to encourage all who call themselves believers of Jesus, to know that where you are now, God can make you whole. He can begin to use you, by his great mercy.
Let us now read Judges 13:3. “And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.”” A miracle is promised by the angel of the Lord! But who is this person who can make such a promise? Is it a prophet speaking for God? Is it God in a personal form? Is it Jesus pre-incarnation (as in Jesus before coming to earth as a man)? We will see some clues later on in this passage but I do not want us to miss the audacity of this statement. There is a miracle about to take place. Something that would not happen without supernatural intervention will take place.
Put yourself in this woman’s place. Although we don’t know anything about her prior to this event, or even her name, I can only imagine the conflicting thoughts of fear, hope, excitement, and uncertainty that could be taking place. Had she spent the last several years calling out to YHWH for a child? Has she given up hope that she would ever bear a child? I’m not sure, but two other notable women in similar situations come to mind. Sarah, the wife of Abraham, who was promised a child long past her child-bearing years, who would go on to a become a great nation. Also Hannah, the mother of Samuel, who called out to God with tears and a broken heart, and received a child who would be dedicated to the service of YHWH. Let us see what else the angel of the Lord says to Manoah’s wife, the future mother of Samson, continuing in verse 4. “Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” (Jdg. 13:4-5).
Will this child actually deliver Israel from the Philistines as we would expect from the previous judges? Instead we see another piece of evidence that this “saviour” will fall short in that he will only “begin to save Israel”. As we will see from the life of this child to be, he will indeed fall short as a saviour of Israel, making merely a dent in the oppressors. Don’t lose focus here of the one who will not only “begin to save Israel” but the one who is the “Saviour of the world.” (1Jn. 4:14). The one who will supernaturally be born of a virgin, and who will save his people from their sins, as Matthew 1:21 says, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Coming back to what the mother of Samson is commanded by the angel of the Lord. She is told to take a vow of a Nazirite in order to bear a child that, from the womb, is dedicated to the Lord as a Nazirite. I would like to point out how strange this all is! This is the first we have seen God commanding a mother to take this vow of consecration, or have a child who is commanded to have a life long vow of a Nazirite! I should interject for a moment and explain what this Nazirite business is all about. Numbers 6:1-21 gives a detailed description of what a man or woman must do to make a vow of a Nazirite (which means “one that is separated or consecrated”). The person that does this separates themselves from natural, and normal things for a period of time as an act of worship to YHWH. Repeated in Numbers 6 it is stated that the person will be “holy to the Lord” as they give up food/drink from the vine, shaving/cutting hair of their head, and separate themselves from any dead bodies. Numbers also outlines the offerings following the completion of this vow and other stipulations if they were to inadvertently become unclean. What is the point of this vow? One commentator states,
The sign is not so important as what it signifies. The Nazirite would say a definite no to certain perfectly natural things in order to show how definite was the yes he was saying to something more important, his dedication of himself to God.
This vow would be a beautiful way to show thanksgiving for YHWH’s provision and goodness. I believe one can correlate this to the practice of fasting. Its not what makes you clean in God’s sight, it does not save you, but is a way to worship God and place him correctly as the provider of all good things.
Manoah’s Wife’s Response
In Judges, I am struck by the response of Manoah’s wife once she has been told that this is what is required of her. In reading this passage I feel myself have a sense of referred offence. “How can this vow be forced on this woman, and then her child. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose?” Unfortunately I believe that I, like so many others, have bought into this idea that my autonomy is a priority above what God commands. What is convenient, is what God must want for me! But we see what appears to be a different response from Manoah’s wife. Instead of her questioning what this person is commanding, she seems to take it as fact, relaying very accurately to her husband what she was told will happen.
Manoah’s Response
Following Manoah’s wife coming to Manoah, we have some more insight to what this couple is like. After we read about Manoah’s wife giving the account of her interaction with the person she thought to be a prophet (“a man of God”), lets take a look at what Manoah does. Verse 8 says, “Then Manoah prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us and teach us what we are to do with the child who will be born.”” (Jdg. 13:8). Does Manoah mock his wife, accuse her of insanity, or a little too much sun? Does he assume that she is much too hormonal to have a grasp on reality? No! He PRAYS! He calls out to YHWH. And in doing so he confirms that he not only trusts his wife and her account, but he also takes for granted that the words of the angel of the Lord are completely reliable! In the text there does not appear to be a sign of doubt that the promise from God will come true. Is Manoah right to ask for clarification? Is he right to take communication with Yahweh into his own hands? During this time it would be normal to seek out a priest, or prophet who could inquire of the Lord. Maybe in the time of idolatry in Israel, this was simply not an option. It's possible that this was not the first time Manoah prayed to the Lord. Regardless, I think we can learn from his response. I believe we can learn from someone who takes the word of God, as fact, and quickly goes to the one who is near. And like Manoah, we may not hear the voice from the angel of the Lord, a being standing in front of us. But we certainly have God's Word. And even more we have the Holy Spirit who intercedes on our behalf (Ro. 8:26-27), and we have a great high priest, Jesus (He. 4:14-15). So, like Manoah, we should pray quickly, and expect our God to hear and answer.
God’s Response
After Manoah’s prayer we see God’s response to Manoah’s simple request, of what to do with the miracle of a child that will come. “God listened to the voice of Manoah” (Jdg. 13:9). Interestingly God listened and granted the request of Manoah by the “angel of God” appearing to Manoah’s wife while she is alone, again. But this time the heavenly being waits as Manoah is retrieved and with his wife, hear the words of God. Lets read verse 11, “And Manoah arose and went after his wife and came to the man and said to him, “Are you the man who spoke to this woman?” And he said, “I am.” (Jdg. 13:11). This brings to mind the name of God that gives to Moses in Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, “ I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Whether or not this is a reference to the authority of YHWH in this representative, I do not know. But there will be more to point to the authenticity of this messenger being directly tied to YHWH.
The angel of the Lord, following this, appears to not give much new information to Manoah’s earnest question. Instead of giving Manoah and his wife a detailed description about their child’s manner of life and mission, he instead restates the requirements of the nazarite vow for Manoah’s wife. This points the fact that their focus should be on what is required of them.
The Burnt Offering
Similar to the response of Gideon, Manoah then offers their guest some hospitality as would be the expectation of this culture. But instead of the angel of the Lord eating the food as a typical guest would, he tells Manoah to offer the food as a burnt offering. And we see in verse 16 that even at this time, Manoah does not fully understand who this visitor is. This gives us clarity to why he asks the next question in verse 17, “And Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honour you?” 18 And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” (Jdg 13:17–18). Is this another clue towards who this angel of the Lord represents? I believe so. I am struck once again that God would be so intimately involved with these people. That God would come a second time to this couple, despite the fact that they cannot even grasp His name! The word “wonderful” in this passage is the same word used in Psalm 139:6, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” It is truly remarkable that despite the limitations of Manoah and his wife, God comes near to them, and uses them for His purposes. And we know that this is not the first or the last time that God will do this.
We see the coming verses the last confirmation of this visitor’s identity. Lets pick up from verse 19,
19 So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it on the rock to the Lord, to the one who works wonders, and Manoah and his wife were watching. 20 And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar. Now Manoah and his wife were watching, and they fell on their faces to the ground. 21 The angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the Lord. Jdg 13:19–21.
In an incredible spectacle, an offering is ignited by God and the angel of the Lord is no where to be seen. It is at this moment that Manoah and his wife have a much more clear understanding who it is they have been speaking with. We see this by them falling on their faces to the ground. This is the appropriate response to being in the presence of the Lord! I think this is another point at which we should follow the example of Manoah and his wife. I believe this posture that they took is a reaction to the fear of the Lord. Our God deserves our reverence! He is worthy of a holy fear. A reason for this is the mostly correct declaration that Manoah makes. “We shall surely die, for we have seen God.” (Jdg. 13:22b). It is true that people die in the presence of God! At the the time of the temple, the presence of God would kill those who paid no heed to what God commanded in order to be consecrated and capable of entering into his presence.
Death is the consequence of sin as we see on multiple occasions in Scripture. In Romans we see that the “wages of sin is death” (Ro. 6:23). In order for us as sinful people to be in God’s Holy presence, our sin must be paid for. For Manoah and his wife, its evident that death did not come. This could be due to the nature of the angel of the Lord being a veiled appearance of God. Or the burnt offering could have sufficed as a temporary sacrifice as the sacrificial system was in place to do. Our hope to not die, but have life, is based solely on the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus, the Lamb of God, dying on the cross and raising again, is our hope to not fall dead in God’s presence. And even more then that, we may become children of God and fellow heirs with Jesus (Ro. 8:16-17).
Manoah’s wife speaks with huge confidence and shows faith in the promise that has been spoken to them. She does so in a way that is not demeaning or making a mockery of her husband. She likely plays a role in growing her husband’s faith with her own, exactly as spouses should do for each other. Verse 23 says, “But his wife said to him, “If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these.” What the angel of the Lord has spoken will come to pass. Manoah’s wife is so sure of this that her fear of God is shaped also by some understanding of God’s character. What God has spoken will happen. Do we believe this to be true? Is our faith capable of taking God at his Word and putting all bets on Him? Even at the cost of our lives? We see Manoah’s wife exercising child-like faith, and in doing so, respectfully helps her husband see an alternative to his incorrect fear.
What takes place next confirms that Samson’s mother was correct in her reasoning. “And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him. And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.” (Jdg. 13:24-25). A miracle takes place, and a child is born to a woman who could not have children. One might say that one of the blessings given to Samson was a mother in particular who had a sincere faith in God.
What does it mean that “the Spirit of the Lord began to stir in [Samson]”? In judges it is not uncommon for the Spirit of the Lord to be upon judges, but Samson is unique in the word that is used in this verse. It means elsewhere in the Old Testament that someone is “stirred up”, or “troubled”. This also will not be the last time the the Spirit of the Lord will “rush upon him”. The reason why it is significant that the Spirit of the Lord works in and through Samson, is less because of who Samson is, but who God is! Its less about Samson’s moral failures and more about the fact that the perfect YHWH would work in a man to bring relief to Israel’s suffering. This is the character of God we see in Judges, and in the rest of the Bible!
This chapter shows an imperfect couple that have some positive attributes. I believe there are several ways that we can learn from what they did well. We also can grieve what will come as we have seen some poignant clues that this child will not be the saviour that Israel really needs. Where do we go from here?
Where Do We Go From Here?
In this time I have eluded to several different ways that we can learn and apply this passage in Judges. I will mention two things that we can grow in, or begin to do for the first time. There are more things we can do as a result of todays passage but these are simply two of them.
Trust God- Even in Tragedy
There is no circumstance that you can find yourself in that God is surprised by. He will not withdraw his everlasting love from you. In our passage, an example of that tragedy may be childlessness, or living in a nation of apostasy. But there is a host of painful circumstances that can sadly lead us to harden our hearts and pull away from the one who heals. It may be a broken marriage, the shame of secret sexual sin, a loss of job, or an unbelieving family member. I don’t know what God is going to do in the painful situations you find yourself, but I do know that he is near. His love knows no bounds. God’s Word shows how time and time again he uses those who are incapable of being useful apart from His intervention. Manoah and his wife being simple one couple of a host of people that their weakness has been God’s means to accomplish His will. “27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” 1 Co 1:27–29.
- Pray like God Hears and Responds
Manoah is portrayed as someone who sincerely prayed, trusting in the words that came from YHWH. I believe in this we can learn and grow. I want to you remind you, that even when you feel incapable of the faith required to pray with expectation of God’s response, to bring that to your Saviour. God is faithful to supply all we need, and often what is needed is a more authentic faith. Looking at the example of Manoah’s wife, we need to take what God says as truth! Truths such as our identity as children of God, the hope of heaven and restoration, and the promise of God’s sustaining power. Read the Bible and believe what it says because it is God’s Word, and it is true!
I would encourage you, when you struggle with feeling as though you are not heard, take time to steep yourself in the truth of Psalm 139. Know that God is near, and even before a word is on our tongues, our Lord knows them. We pray to the Lord who is everywhere, and also lovingly intimate with us. God knows us better then we know ourselves. He knows our pain, and hears our ineloquent prayers. Let us call out to him all the more as we face uncertainties, today and this week to follow.
We will move into the taking of communion at this time. I believe we have learned some important things about the character of the God we serve. We see in the three brief accounts of the judges in chapter 12 a reminder of God’s covenant faithfulness. We see what may have been if Israel were obedient and did not cast away what was asked of them. For us today, I believe that we should be reminded of the way God desires our world to exist. The world we live in now is not the way it will be. God will restore heaven and earth. He will make all things new. And it won't last for 25 years, or 250 years, it will be for eternity. Take heart and know that your present pain and difficulties will not be forever. We can praise God for giving us his Word to teach us, remind us, and give us opportunity to turn to him. Even more than that, we have a capable Saviour. Samson will not be the one to save his people from their sins. God will use another woman, Mary, who will have a child through a miracle. And her child will be God in the form of man. Before this man will begin his ministry on earth, he will be tempted in the desert for forty days. He will fast, and be commissioned for the most remarkable task of all. This man, Jesus, will save all of those who call on his name.
If you do not know, Jesus, call out to him. Humble yourself and make him your king. As we take part in communion let us praise God for what he has accomplished in sending Jesus to save those whom he has chosen. I am so grateful that Jesus has done so much more than “begin” to save Israel. The work on the cross is finished. Jesus paid for every sin. It is his sacrifice that consecrates us if we have placed our faith in him. If God has allowed you to call out to him and give your life over to him, please take time before communion to ask for forgiveness for your sin. And praise him for who he is, the one who works wonders. The greatest wonder being that he could save us and make us clean before God.