A Barren Woman

Introduction

Johnny Manzel documentary came out. Johnny Football.

And it was realized the waste of incredible talent.

I look at those guys and wonder what would have happened…?

Had a better work ethic, character, purpose?

The story of Samson, from Judges 13 - 16, is similar in that there is this man, chosen from before birth, who had great blessing but zero desire to do the right thing.

Finding his identity in the selfish life, leaving a trail of brokenness and tragedy.

What can we learn from such a tragic figure?

Text

Judges Cycle - the further you get in the worse it gets.

Judges 3:15 ESV

15 Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.

Judges 4:3 ESV

3 Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years.

Judges 6:6 ESV

6 And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the Lord.

Judges 10:15 ESV

15 And the people of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please deliver us this day.”

Something is missing… Pattern is broken, but does God abandon a rebellious people?

The LORD is faithful to deliver.

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God doesn’t require you to get your life together first.

A barren wife. Cultural stigma. But, a theme. Sarai, Rebekah, Leah. Future of Hannah (Samuel), Elizabeth (John the Baptist).

Sends an angel. Here’s the plan. Nazirite (Separate). Three parts - grapes, corpses, hair.

Starts with you, mom. Train that child to be separate, holy.

Mom and dad, set the example of the role that faith plays.

It starts before they are even conceived.

God has a plan for you.

For Samson, it was to start the deliverance. Something it would take until David to complete.

Which reminds us that Christ came to complete the deliverance that David points to.

He finished the deliverance through His death on the cross.

How does this barren woman receive this message? With skepticism (v. 6).

A prophet. But, he looked like an angel.

We want to downplay God’s Word.

Don’t downplay the voice of God.

The reality is that God is constantly speaking to us.

Radio waves. Passing through this building, through us.

But, we don’t hear them. We aren’t tuned in with the right equipment.

Scripture. Attention.

The ancient church had a principle that people wouldn’t leave a worship service until they had heard the voice of God, that God spoke to them.

God is speaking, are you listening?

The response of Manoah was one of doubt. “Teach us...” He already told you.

But, I love God’s patience (v. 9). “And God listened...”

Our tendency is to question what God has told us.

Don’t doubt the voice of God.

Theme of Judges. The story of Gideon and his fleece.

God’s patience, but a sign of lack of faith.

When the Lord has told you something, shown you something, follow it!

V. 13 - “Of all that I said to the woman...”

The offer of hospitality, but the angel again points them to something higher.

Asks of the name, “too wonderful, secret, beyond understanding.”

Name = nature. Being a messenger of God.

What I’m telling you is good news. It’s almost too good to believe.

Child. Deliverance.

God incarnate in the child Jesus. Deliverance through His death on the cross.

God’s message is too good to not believe.

“To the one who works wonders” (v. 19).

Revelation in the exit of the angel.

Weird reaction - We’re going to die!

The wife was the source of reason (v. 23).

And the hand of God was on him, blessing him.

God was actively calling him (v. 25).

Samson experienced physical growth, what he is known for.

But, where is the character growth?

Where is the spiritual growth?

Be primarily concerned with spiritual growth.

Physical specimen, but never repentant of sin...

Even having character, but never repentant of sin...

Without hope. We cannot be good enough.

Conclusion

God chose to use a barren woman.

God chose to use a doubting man.

God chose to use a selfish young man.

What is God choosing for you?

Salvation.

Growth.

Church membership.

Ministry?

God has a plan for you.