SCRIPTURE: Judges 13
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, ‘You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean, because you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines.’ [Judges 13:3-5]
All people are called by God, but not all are called to the same task.
While every person is equal before God, each one has a unique calling, some more visible than others.
The Nazirite [Numbers 6:1-21] is an example of a unique calling, a person who does not cut their hair, drink fermented drinks, or have contact with anything that has died.
This person is a living object lesson who visibly demonstrates a life of focused devotion toward God, a reminder to the people of their calling to live for God heart, soul, mind and strength.
Samson was supposed to be this kind of person (as we will see, he fails miserably).
But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. [Luke 1:13-16]
John the Baptist is also like a Nazirite, a living object lesson calling people back to God.
Long hair, living in the desert, avoiding fermented drink, he stood out and people took notice.
The Spirit of God empowers Samson and John to get the peoples’ attention!
Do we have such people today?
Yes, though not in the same way as the old covenant.
We’re all called to be Jesus-followers, but how we do that differs from person to person.
The Lord may use some people in visible ways to get the attention of others.
Like a missionary, or a well-known christian (Mother Theresa, Billy Graham), or a remarkable person in our congregation who demonstrates radical devotion to God.
We’re not all called to do what they do, but they are living object lessons calling us back to our devotion to God.
Who is the Lord using around me to provoke, convict or inspire me?
And I am living a life that provokes, convicts or inspires others?
We are all called to love and serve God with our whole being, each in our own unique way.
In a way, we are all called to be Nazirites, radically devoted to following Jesus.
PRAYER:
Lord, inspire me by others, and help me to inspire others… back to You!
Again the people did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
Yet the Lord God sends comfort to His people who continue their hope in the Lord. God sent His angel to Manoah’s wife of the deliverer of Israel. And she told all what the angel of the Lord God had told her to her husband. Sharing their communion with God with each other. In this way, the one is a helpmate for the other. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
When the angel ascended in the flames of the burning sacrifice, there was great fear in Manoah and great faith in his wife. Once again a helpmate for one another. Oneanothering.
As the Spirit of the Lord began to move Samson in his youth, so we too need the Spirit of the Lord move among all of God’s people. This was seen in Samson’s parents and must also be seen among God’s people today. Living for Jesus – set apart – radical living – living stones being built into His House.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Refrain
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.