PREPARATION

In our Pathfinders group at church this morning we noted how usually great preparation goes into big events. However, often times the important players behind the scenes are never noticed or given recognition. To illustrate we looked at the events surrounding the birth of Samson.

There are similar stories in the Bible of an aging, barren woman giving birth to a promised son (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, and Elizabeth). What makes this account different is that the name of the woman is never given. Yet she is the parent central to the birth, not the named father, Manoah.

This un-named woman is visited by an angel. She is instructed to follow strict dietary habits during her pregnancy. Likewise her son will be expected to follow the same disciplines all his life. The soon-to-be gravid woman tried to explain the experience to her husband. Perhaps she tried to tone down the “awesome” (her words) experience by calling the visitor a “man of God” who looked like an angel.

Either Manoah did not listen well, or he did not believe his wife. He earnestly prayed to God that the angel will return and give directions about how to teach the son. Ironically, God answered his prayer by sending the angel again, but once more to the wife, and not Manoah. She faithfully ran to get Manoah so he could visit with the angel.

It is humorous to me that Manoah asked the name of the “man,” even though we never know the name of his wife. Various translators give the angel’s reply as “I am” or “Wonderful” or “secret.” Given the response, however confusing, I think it points to this being a theophany, an appearance of the eternal Christ.

When the angel made a dramatic exit, Manoah feared he and his wife would be struck dead by God for having such a holy experience. His wife had to calmly and rationally explain it would not make sense for God to do so.


From our discussion I drew several conclusions:

• God will go to extraordinary extremes to deliver his children.
• God repeatedly uses unlikely people to accomplish His purposes.
• God will use even people who fall far short of his expectations (Samson broke every vow required of him).
• I need to recognize and show gratitude to people who have helped in my “preparation” (ex. parents & teachers).
• I realize it is hard to explain my “awesome” experiences and hard for others to understand them.
• PBPGINFWMY … Please Be Patient God is Not Finished With Me Yet.

Got some other ideas?