One issue that runs through the Old and New Testament is the need for a saviour. From Genesis to Malachi, there was a consistent request from the people to God to save them or deliver them from their enemies or their challenges. The New Testament begins with the birth of the Saviour but those who did not recognize Him still prayed for a saviour. During the time judges ruled in Israel, the people cried for a deliverance. Whenever the people sinned against God, they were left in the hands of their enemies. In Judges 13:1 we are told that “again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.” Forty years of pain, oppression and torment might have been quite overwhelming. When their cries for deliverance ascended to heaven, a woman was prepared to birth forth their deliverer. God did not choose any woman but one who had a personal challenge. This woman needed help. She was in need of a saviour to fix her own personal needs. She was not perfect but God chose the imperfect person to demonstrate His grace and mercy.
The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. (Judges 13:3)
The deliverer for the desperate people of God was not chosen from among the Israelites, he had to be born and then grow up to take his role. This is how his birth came about: “A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:2-5). Manoah’s wife was overwhelmed by this strange information. She informed Manoah and together they both encountered the angel of God. When Manoah realized that they encountered an angel of God, he proclaimed: “We are doomed to die!” he said to his wife. “We have seen God!” But his wife answered, “If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this.” (Judges 13:22-23). The woman knew that God had a plan. She kept all the regulations given by the angel and she “gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol” (Judges 13:24-25)
Samson’s mother was the least expected to birth the deliverer. She was barren but God in His sovereignty chose the barren to glorify His name. Samson is a type of Jesus, we see the image of God’s bigger story in Samson’s story. Mary, the mother of Jesus was a virgin and while the people looked forward to a strong and mighty Saviour, Mary delivered a baby who grew up and died to save the whole world. Samson had a different task. He was meant to deliver Israel. He had extraordinary strength through which he single handedly fought and destroyed the enemies of Israel. His Nazirite vow was kept by his parents and fueled by the Spirit of God, Samson did extraordinary things while he was alive. Samson’s mother was influential in fulfilling God’s promise. She made sure that all the regulations of the angel of the Lord were kept. She knew that her obedience to the regulations was important to sustain the child and ultimately prepare the boy for his ministry.
God chose the barren to birth the deliverer. Manoah’s wife was a woman with challenges but God used her to save Israel. You don’t need to be the perfect vessel for the Master’s use. Your readiness to accept His call is enough. God will use your imperfections to create a beautiful story. Be ready and willing. Your miracle story is on the way.
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