"Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, so the LORD delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years. Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.” (vv.1-3)
Here, two hundred years into the downward spiral of Judges and over two hundred years since the death of Joshua, Israel continues to fall away from the LORD. However by His grace, God continues to raise up men and women to deliver Israel. He is the one who called Moses from the backwaters of the desert to lead his people out of Egypt. He recruited Gideon, fearful and hiding in a wine-press, to conquer the Midianites. Now, He guides Samson's parents to raise him as a Nazirite, so that the spirit of God will empower him to deliver God’s people once again.
Samson was truly a man of his times. He was a study in contrasts; a man of great strengths and great weaknesses. In this, he was a picture of Israel’s history both during this period and generally. A picture of great heights and deep lows. Samson is also an important example of unfulfilled potential. Though he did great things for God, it is staggering to consider what he might have done and been for God.
What should encourage us the most out of the book of Judges is, even though the children of Israel continue to do evil - the LORD continues to care for them. When wickedness is triumphing, the LORD condemns it. When they were perishing because of oppression or sin, the LORD delivered them. When they were lost, the LORD finds the man or woman who can lead them to freedom.
Therefore, be of good cheer. While we may fail the LORD and find ourselves crying out to Him, He will not leave us nor forsake us. He hears our cries.
The Truth: "Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed." (Psalm 22:4-5)
