4/22

Judges 13:18

¹⁸And the angel of the LORD said to him, "Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?"

Over and over again, Israel turned from God, was oppressed by an enemy, and cried out to God. God raised up a new judge to lead and deliver them. The account of Samson begins with the Angel of the LORD appearing to Samson's parents. He gave them instructions on how to raise the child. Like Gideon before them, they asked to make a meal for Him. The Angel told them He would not eat it, but they could offer it to the LORD.

The future father of Samson, Manoah, did what Gideon did many years earlier. He brought the meal and put it on a rock. As the flame consumed the offering, the Angel went up in the flame from the altar and disappeared from their sight. It was then that they knew they had seen the LORD. They responded in fear, just as Gideon had done, but the wife reasoned that if God meant to kill them He would not have given them instructions on how to raise their son.

Our verse today took place before Manoah brought the offering. Manoah wanted to give credit to the one that predicted the birth of their future son, so he asked His name. The angel replied that it is "wonderful." The word could be translated "incomprehensible." The word is used when God works in ways that man cannot explain.

We saw in the case of Gideon that the Angel was the pre-incarnate Christ. In the prophecy of the coming Messiah by Isaiah, we can see the Spirit of God used a variation of this same name, "Wonderful Counselor" (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus has been working in the affairs of man throughout history. He has always heard cries for mercy demonstrates forgiveness and grace to every generation. He is near all who call upon Him with a sincere heart (Psalm 145:18).

Consider: Can you see more clearly now why the Apostle Paul would quote Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:13? "Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."