Angels in the Bible announced two births. Since we are in the Christmas season, we first think of the birth of John the Baptist. An angel came to announce his birth to his father, Zechariah. Zechariah was performing his priestly duties in the Temple when the angel said that God heard his prayers and that he and his wife would have a son. The other angel’s birth announcement is not so well known; it is of Samson.
Samson’s Birth Announcement
You can find the whole story of Samson’s birth announcement in Judges 13, and I urge you to read it. But here is a synopsis: Manoah and his wife were childless, and an angel came to his wife to say they would have a son who was to be dedicated to the Lord. When she told Manoah, he prayed that God would send the angel again and clarify the instructions.
God answered that prayer, and the angel returned and simply said to follow the previous instructions. Manoah prepared a sacrifice to God as the angel ascended back to heaven in the flames. This both amazed and frightened the couple. They conceived, and Samson was born. While imperfect, he became a judge of Israel and defended the nation against the Philistines.
Learning From Angel Announcements
The two stories of angel birth announcements show us how God communicates. In both stories, God initiated the angel message to build His kingdom. Samson was to lead Israel as a judge and fought against their enemies, the Philistines. John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus and prepared the people’s hearts to receive their Savior.
The angels and their messages came in God’s timing. Samson came at a time when the nation of Israel was so beaten down by sin they couldn’t even ask for a deliverer. But God knew what they needed and when it was needed. John the Baptist came four hundred years after God’s last prophecy to announce the coming of Jesus. Both came in God’s timing to help deliver their people.
God Communicates Today
Angels carry God’s messages and still do this on occasion today. We learn from these stories that God always initiates the message. Sometimes, this is in response to prayer, as in the case of Zechariah. Other times, God sends messages without us praying, as in the case of Manoah. But the messages always come in God’s timing.
God works through people to build His Kingdom. He sends blessings and gifts to us not only for our personal use but also for others. We, like Manoah and Zechariah, are blessed to be a blessing. How is God blessing you to enable you to work in His Kingdom?
To learn how angels in the Bible announced two births, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/an-angel-surprise