Judges 13
Judges 13 (NKJV)
17 ”Then Manoah said to the Angel of the LORD, “What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?”
What a contrast between chapters 12 and 13! The Israelites are on the wash-rinse- repeat cycle. However, we have insight for God’s next judge. This story is like the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Elkanah and Hannah, and Zechariah and Elizabeth. Manoah and his wife, who remains unnamed. She has been unable to conceive a child. Chapter 13 is a dialogue with Manoah, his wife, and a heavenly being. The phrases used for the message bearer are intriguing. We find “the Angel of the LORD,” “the Angel of God,” and “a Man of God.” Capitalized pronouns are used for or by the heavenly messenger. In verse 18, we read, “And the Angel of the LORD said to him,” Why do you ask My name m seeing it is wonderful?” We find cross-references to the word wonderful in Genesis 32:29 and Isaiah 9:6. The verse in Isaiah is especially poignant as we celebrate Advent. This visit to Manoah and his wife was extraordinary as the LORD had specific plans for their son.
We will be entering a new year very soon. Spend some quiet time with God, asking Him to reveal His plans for you – involvement in a new ministry, leading a Bible study, volunteering with one of our mission partners in 2022. Journal your thoughts and for those of you who have not begun journaling as part of your spiritual journey, take it from someone who fought it for a long time; it is now an integral part of my faith journey. As part of journaling, be sure to journal God’s responses and/or answers. In Isaiah 43:19, we read, “Behold, I am doing a new thing….” In the words of Rev. J.D. Walt, behold means to pay attention, bring every one of your faculties to this”. Find the 2022 new thing God wants to do in and for you!
Prayer: Oh Lord, a new year brings excitement and so many new possibilities. You have given this verse in Isaiah to many at New Hope. We know you are doing a new thing in Your church. We want to be attuned to Your specific plans for our lives and how You want to use us for the furtherance of Your kingdom in 2022. Show us, Lord, show us!
Give us clarity to know, not think or have doubt, but to KNOW how we are to serve you in 2022. In Jesus name, Amen.