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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