Judges 12 and 13 - The Birth of Samson

Judges 12 and 13

For behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son, and no razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines. - Verse 5

Message: The Birth of Samson

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: In verse 1 of chapter 12, the men of Ephraim are bothered with Jephthah. He fought the Ammonites as the "Spirt of the Lord" came upon him and he subdued them "before the people of Israel" (11:33). The men of Ephraim wanted to go. This is reminiscent of chapter 8 when the men of Ephraim came also to Gideon bothered that they were not called when he fought Midian. Jephthah remarks that he did try to call them and they refused, but what is done is done. Ephraim continues to be bitter rather than celebrating the victories. Jephthah then conquered Ephraim. And eventually 42,000 died. I am not sure if the Lord was over this work Jephthah had done, but no reason to think he was not. Jephthah is recorded in Hebrews 11:32-33 as someone who by faith conquered kingdoms. He judged 6 years (12:8). And yet I am not sure the Hebrews verse gives the idea that any of those individuals were flawless as I don't think Jephthah was. He did exercise faith, but he might have also done things uncharacteristic of a man of faith as others might have done, but that's okay. God works in many different people's lives. 

I think of Ravi Zacharias. A man who was celebrated as a leading apologist and could debate well often and an evangelical minister, but following his death in 2020 it was discovered he a sexual harassment issues for many years of his ministry and just like that, all of his works were silenced. Definitely can't excuse his sin, but does that nullify all of his work? Can Ravi still be called a man of faith? 

The chapter ends with the mention of 3 more judges: Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. Ibzan had 60 children and married them all. Jephthah had 1 child. Some are increased, others diminished; all is the Lord’s doing. Ibzan judged 7 years. Elon judged 10 years. No children mentioned. Abdon had 40 sons and judged 8 years. 

Chapter 13 begins with a familiar word, "the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, so that the Lord gave them into the hands of the Philistines forty years." After many years of having judges, the people once again acquiesce into the ways and manners of the people among them and start looking less like a servant of God and more like the people of the Word. The entire chapter chronicles the announcement of Samson to his father Manoah by an angel of the Lord. He would grow up and be blessed by the Lord (13:24). 

It is interesting as this entire chapter chronicles the angel of the Lord's announcement and the surprise of his father Manoah and all that the father wants to do in response of this announcement for the angel of the Lord. These angels of the Lord are often quite interesting in our Bible. Manoah was reluctant to believe. In many ways, like Gideon who wanted confirmations as well. But like Gideon, it did not matter with God - he was going to make it happen even through the questions of a person. He has a plan - a sovereign plan for people. It is a reminder once again that God works and He works often through imperfect people. And that is okay. 

Summary: Jephthah conquers Ephraim. Judges Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon follow. Then Israel does evil in the sight of the Lord and the angel of the Lord announces to Manoah and his wife the birth of Samson. 

Promise: People need to see that we believe in the Lord. But it is rarely a perfect belief. But let them sill see - our children and those around us. 

Prayer: God, you remind me in these verses to keep fighting the fight and keep continuing the faith. It is one of perseverance and endurance but it is rarely perfect. There are questions and it is important to pray through those questions, for your will in me and for me to know you better through life. I do pray for your intervention - your providence. 

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Joshua 5:13-15 - Joshua Meets the Commander of God's Army

Joshua 5:13-15

13 Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” 14 He said, “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” 15 The captain of the Lord’s host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Message: Joshua Meets the Commander of God's Army

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: In the previous verses, Joshua and company are at Gilgal, on the eastern side of Jericho and it is there they circumcise the males (not previously circumcised) and then celebrate Passover for the 3rd time. And then provision of manna ceases as it is no longer needed. Now picking up verse 13 Joshua continues to be "by Jericho." Not sure if he has progressed any further past Gilgal. He is still by Jericho. I learn that Jericho was a well-defended city, difficult to capture, but a great holding ground for those forces that could attack Joshua and others, so getting past it would be quite an achievement. 

Joshua states that a man is standing opposite him, with a sword drawn and Joshua said, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?” This is not a vision. Joshua sees a man with a sword drawn to show Joshua that he is speaking to him about what is before him. This man knows. 

The man then testifies that he is the captain of the host of the Lord. "I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord.” Joshua recognizes the man and falls on his face and bows down. Verse 15, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.”

What is this here? This seems to be a visible manifestation of the Eternal Word of God. Exodus 3:2 at the burning of the bush states, "And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush." 3:4, "God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And in verse 5 says, "remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." The same words are spoken here with Joshua as at the burning of the bush. 

In Numbers 22:31, Balaam had his way blocked to the vineyards by a man standing with a sword, "Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground." 

In Judges 13:3, "the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman (Samson's mother, wife of Manoah) and said to her, "Behold now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and give birth to a son." 

Isaiah 63:9, "In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old." 

Psalm 34:7, "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them."

Malachi 3:1, “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts."

The angel of the Lord is distinct and yet identified with Jehovah. The eternal word of God and the angel of the Lord (Captain of the Heart) are one and the same. And this figure states his function. Joshua sees himself as a servant to the Lord, and so sees this One as having authority. He is a man that stands outside of the house of Israel or any of the adversaries for he states he is not on either one's side. 

This is an interesting set of verses - important in the life of Joshua as he is receiving confirmation repeatedly of the Lord at work - through circumcision, the Passover, manna removed, and ultimately confirmation that the Lord God is there, with him. He has this protection from God. 

Summary: Joshua encounters a man with a sword and realizes he is Lord and this man's servant, captain of the host of the Lord, who resides on holy ground. 

Promise: God will anchor us always with Him and provide us with the assurance that He is with us as we encounter life's challenges. 

Prayer: Lord, I think of Joshua and this man that you called to lead the people of Israel to the promised land, a land you promised to them. There was a goal that you had for them and their was to be joy in the journey, as you led them and were over them continually. You parted waters and then instructed them to signify this with a sign of circumcision, an inner change and then also the Passover, and finally confirmation that You are there. You were with Joshua and you are with me. You are there with me throughout all of life's challenges, providing me peace and as my guide through those situations. At times, I will walk through life, with only a promise, but at certain times You do reveal yourself to me and I thank you for those times, when you show me. And you show others your power, and the peace found in You. 

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