A woman prayed, an angel appeared, and God’s answer brought hope
By Dean Collins
I suspect that those of us more familiar with the Bible often speed past what seems like introductory material in order to get to what we believe is the main part of the story. I will certainly confess that many times I have skimmed parts of the Old Testament that contain what seems to be irrelevant lists of names or details for building the Tabernacle or temple. Some of those particulars do not seem to pertain to my need to find wisdom, comfort, or direction from God’s Word.
Having read the book of Judges many times, I found myself skimming to get to the main stories of the various judges and realized I was missing interesting and helpful information in the process. Realizing I was not paying attention as I rushed to some of the colorful aspects of the Samson story, I made myself reread chapter 13.
Angel appearances
As far as I can tell, chapter 13 recounts the third time an angel appears in the book of Judges. In Judges 2, an angel is sent as a messenger to the people of God and rebukes God’s people for their idolatry and disobedience in not taking possession of the Promised Land and driving out those who possessed the land. In chapter 6, an angel appears to Gideon and tells a farmer he is a man of valor and gives him the task of leading his people to victory over those who oppress them.
We are given very little context before the angel appears in chapter 13. It begins with the disappointing news that once again the people of Israel did what was evil in God’s sight. The result of Israel’s disobedience was 40 years of oppression at the hands of the Philistines.
By the mercy and love of God who always keeps his promises, God once again would provide a deliverer. The text tells us that there was a man named Manoa from the tribe of Dan who was married but had no children. We do not know Manoa’s wife’s name, but it was to this unnamed and barren woman that the angel of the Lord appeared.
Can you imagine your surprise if God sent an angel to you? Without any introduction or warning, the angel appears and tells the woman what she already knew: “You are barren and have not borne children.” Can you feel the rush of sadness to be reminded again of what you had broken your heart over and over before? But then the angel continued: “But you shall conceive and bear a son.” First a shocking appearance, then a sad reminder, and suddenly an announcement that would change everything.
Sudden change
The author does not tell us how many times this woman had prayed for a child. We also do not know how many times this woman may have petitioned God to rescue his people from the Philistines. But suddenly God stepped into this woman’s life and changed the course of history.
How many times have we not only seen this in Scripture but experienced it in our own lives? Looking back, I can think of many times when there was struggle and no sign of apparent relief, and then suddenly God intervenes. The phone rings, an email comes, an idea appears, and all of a sudden God is moving in dramatic ways. Rapid change and hope emerge. Just last week it happened again. It was a sudden meeting followed by two phone calls that suggested that God had stepped in to begin the resolution of a significant problem. God may sometimes seem distant, but he is always nearby and working even when we don’t see him until suddenly he steps in again.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman in chapter 13, she quickly went and told her husband the whole story, which prompted her husband to pray that God would send the angel again. God answered Manoa’s prayer and again appeared to his wife and not to him. I suspect God speaks to those whose hearts are most attuned to him. In this case and in many cases, it is godly women who are paying better attention to God and his presence. Consider Hannah, Mary, and the women who were disciples of Jesus—first to care for the body of the crucified Jesus and first to the tomb on Easter morning.
After the angel’s second appearance, Manoa finally got to meet God’s envoy and learn of God’s plan for this couple to raise a son they would dedicate to God. Manoa’s response was to prepare a meal for the angel. And just like the angel who met with Gideon, the angel did not eat the meal but instead offered it to God as a sacrifice.
More mature
I am convinced Manoa’s wife was more spiritually mature than Manoa. Consider his response compared to his wife’s after the burnt sacrifice was offered:
“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. 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. And Manoah said to his wife, ‘We shall surely die, for we have seen God.’ 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.’”
The man in the story interpreted the events as doom and gloom, and his wife was both logical and filled with confidence that the Lord was with them. My guess is her confidence was also that God was on the move, not only for this family but for all of his people.
Many stories
Which brings me to my final thought today. God does answer our prayers in order to help and encourage us. But we should never forget that our story connects to the many other stories God is always writing. We are not isolated. God is the author of community. And all of us who come to him become a part of God’s family and join his kingdom as ambassadors and priests. God is building a kingdom here that is always on a mission to bring Heaven to earth just as Jesus told us in the Lord’s Prayer.
God, thank you for the passages of Scripture filled with reminders of how you are at work everywhere. Help us realize that it is in our desperation and our weakness that you are most strong and active. Forgive us when we miss the signals you send us daily that remind us you are with us. Thank you for revealing yourself to others just as you reveal yourself to us. Thank you for revealing yourself fully in your Son, Jesus. We acknowledge Jesus as both Savior and King. We humbly surrender our lives to be used whenever and wherever you call us today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Judges 13:3-25 ESV
Photo by Devon Divine on Unsplash
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