Faith and Seeing (Judges 12-13)

It is through contemplation that I truly learn, for it is important to take the time to think and apply; rather than just rushing through and grasping what I can as I run past.  It's the difference between really absorbing versus just keeping it on the surface.

Take, for example, the Judges 12:8-13:25 passage.   After having gone through a verse-by-verse study, there were some good insights and knowledge to be gleaned.   However, it is not until I really consider it and try to apply it to my life, that I gain something that I really want to write down and remember.

At the end of chapter 12, we find short descriptions of the Ibzon, Elon, and Abdon.  On the surface, I find that nothing of major significance is written about their faith, nor are specifics of how God used them to deliver Israel given.  Instead, they are remembered for likely having multiple wives, being wealthy, or seeking to expand their power and influence.   As I ponder it, I am challenged, that as God's servant, I do not want to be remembered for seeking things of this world, rather than things above.

In chapter 13, we see that God appeared to Manoah's wife; and gave her the reassurance she needed, as a woman who was barren in that culture and time period.  We see that throughout the passage, the angel of the LORD reveals more and more of Who He is to her, until at the end, Manoah and his wife recognize that He is really GOD (likely the pre-incarnate Christ).  As I ponder and apply this to my life, I can see that God sometimes doesn't reveal everything to me all at once; and that by going through the process of discovering more and more about Him and His Plan for my life, I grow in my faith and develop in ways that I might not have otherwise.   When I don't clearly see the road ahead and it is sometimes blurry or has many twists and turns, it causes me to trust God for guidance to show me what I need to see when I need to see it.