An important prerequisite to hearing God (Judg 13:8-14)

When I was an undergraduate theology student, one of my tutors led us in a seminar discussion. Sadly, he was only interested in hearing us regurgitate scholarly opinions, which made for a rather boring session. One classmate ventured to forward his thinking on the topic which the seminar leader replied to with an expressionless face, ‘And who said that?’. ‘Um, I did’, said the student bravely, but our tutor has already moved on dismissing out of hand what was being suggested because it was a nameless nobody saying it rather than an established scholar. Listening well involves not prejudging the message on a person’s status.

Manoah’s attitude

As we continue with Samson’s story, the events described push us to reflect further on what it takes to hear from God. Manoah was not present when the angel first appeared to his wife, so God’s message is relayed to him only through her. That this is unsatisfactory is evident from his entreaty to God (Judg 13:8). The prayer is clearly heartfelt, Manoah genuinely wants to know how best to raise the child to be born. Yet, his request and the unfolding dialogue suggest that he has little respect for his wife’s abilities to communicate the message or for her discernment. When faced with the angel, his first question is ‘Are you the man who spoke to the woman?’ (Judg 13:11), as if she could not be trusted to know. At the same time, his wife has an inkling that the messenger is more than just ‘a man of God’ (i.e. a prophet; Judg 13:6), while Manoah can only see a human figure.

God’s answer to pride

The Lord knows that this father-to-be needs reassurance, but the affirmation also puts Manoah in his place. God hears his request (Judg 13:9), but once again, the angel goes to the woman, so that when she fetches her husband, she is in the lead while Manoah is trying to catch up (literally and figuratively) by following her (Judg 13:11). It is no accident that she remains a nameless woman throughout the story, yet the angel’s instructions are given to her. As so often in Scripture, the people entrusted with God’s task and message are those who are weak, foolish, and of no account (1 Cor 1:26-31). Those who seek the Lord need to learn that what matters is not the impressiveness or eloquence of the messenger, but faithfulness to the message. Manoah’s questions to the angel receive rather less of an answer than he had from his wife, and he is once again pointed back to her as the source of the information he wants and needs (Judg 13:13-14). Humility is an important prerequisite to hearing from God.

As iron sharpens iron…

To be sure, Manoah’s wife has her own blind spot when she omits her son’s intended vocation (see my post Truly hearing what God is saying (Judg 13:1-7)). She is an imperfect messenger, but God’s answer to such flaws is not to muscle in and take over, but to let the protagonists work on the issues they face. Manoah will have to humble himself and listen to someone he rates lower than himself and, by God’s grace, his persistence in wanting to know what task his son is called to may elicit the information that his wife is unconsciously holding back.

Their situation reminds me of the way God deals with us. Wouldn’t it be so much more efficient if God took over our lips when we shared the gospel or taught Sunday school or preached? Or better still, if He turned up in all His glory to impress everyone? Yet, in His wisdom, He humbles the proud who can only hear Him if they put aside their preconceptions about status and what is due their consequence. And in that same wisdom, He sends out His imperfect messengers and, as they engage with others, He allows them to make mistakes, yet grow in discernment and mature in faithfulness. Most amazing of all, despite the deficiencies in our human speaking and listening, the Lord achieves His sovereign purpose, nevertheless.

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