In all the darkness of this period of the Judges, it is remarkable to see God still at work. In Chapter 13 we have an account of the angel of the LORD coming to visit a barren woman. We are reminded here of the stories of the wives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who also suffered from barrenness. The overcoming of barrenness has a special symbolism in the biblical narrative. It is a reminder that the children of Abraham are children of promise, ultimately the children of God. That Samson should be conceived in these circumstances, and particularly that his birth should be announced by an angel, points to God’s special intervention for his people. It is the last thing you would expect after so many cycles of unfaithfulness on Israel’s part. What is more remarkable here is the fact that there is no record of the people crying out to God for help. In fact, there is no record of Samson’s mother having even asked God to give her a child. It seems that the situation with Samson’s mother is intended to parallel that of Israel. The nation is so spiritually barren now that she is unwilling to even cry for help. But God is going to save his people anyway. Why? The barrenness of Samson’s mother and the connection this makes to Abraham gives us the clue. God is going to save his people because he made a promise to Abraham. God finishes what he begins. He has begun something in you, and he is not going to let you go until that work is finished.
Ask God to hold on to you according to his promise and lead you forward in his purpose for you.
Read Judges 13
