19 December 2022
There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren, having borne no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, ‘Although you are barren, having borne no children, you shall conceive and bear a son. Now be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, or to eat anything unclean, for you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor is to come on his head, for the boy shall be a nazirite to God from birth. It is he who shall begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines.’
Judges 13: 2-7, 24-25, NRSV
Samson is probably best known from the stories of his great strength. In today’s reading we hear about the annunciation of his birth. It is clear from the words used by the angel that this he is to be a special child. His mother is told to look after her own health and the child is to be a nazirite. A nazirite was a person who was consecrated and who was required to take a vow to abstain from wine. There are similarities here to the annunciations of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. However, although Samson was powerful and spirit-filled, he did not always use his God given powers in good ways. For instance, he took extreme revenge over enemies. Nevertheless, despite his imperfections, God saw that he was still able to achieve great things through Samson.
- Why do you think that God chose Samson for such important work?
- How can human strength be used to do God’s work in our present day?
Reflect today on the strength God gives you – physical and/or spiritual – and how God wants you to use this gift.
