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[This post is a part of my series on infertile women in the Bible, Barren + Biblical. Click here to return to the Barren + Biblical homepage.]
After reading through all of the infertility stories in the Bible, you start to notice two things: First, the commonalities in each story; and second, the things that stand out and make each story different. The infertility Bible story of Manoah and his wife highlight one example of each. Before going on, read the story in Judges 13.
A brief recap:
Manoah’s barren wife is approached by an angel, telling her that she will have a son. She’s given specific instructions about how she should act (no wine, do nothing unclean, etc.), as well as the plan for her son’s life (he will be a Nazirite and begin delivering Israel from the Philistines).
She tells her husband, Manoah, and he prays that the angel would come back to give them more instructions. The angel does come back, but simply repeats the instructions he gave before. The angel then ascends in a flame, Manoah freaks out and thinks they’re going to die, but his wife reminds him that the angel just brought them great news. (She eventually gives birth to Samson — you know, the strong man whose secret to strength was in his long hair.)
Now, for the takeaways:
God had plans for your life before you were even born
God’s plan stands out in all of the other infertility stories in the Bible, too — especially in the case of both Sarah and Hannah. His timing is perfect; His plan is flawless. In this story, God’s bigger plan is highlighted again. Manoah and his wife are told that Samson will be set apart, destined to “begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines” (v. 5). This is before Samson had even been conceived!
After reading this story, it’s tempting to immediately think of the plans God has for your future children. It does appear that a common thread throughout the Bible is that infertile women eventually give birth to very powerful men. God seems to call on these men specifically to have very crucial roles in the Bible.
But let’s also look at this from another angle: as a reminder that God has a plan for YOU. He had a plan for you, too, even before you were conceived. His plans are not just for ancient people in Bible stories, but for you, too. However:
It’s not for us to know every detail of God’s plan
Here is where this story stands out. While many other stories of infertility focus on the pain and anguish faced by the barren women (especially in the stories of Hannah and Rachel), this one says almost nothing about Manoah’s wife’s suffering. Instead, the focus is on what happens after she is told she will conceive.
Immediately her husband wants to know more. “When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule for the boy’s life and work?” he asks. (v. 12)
But the angel’s response doesn’t say anything about the boy’s life and work. Instead, the angel says: “Your wife must do all that I have told her.” (v. 13) Then, after repeating the specific instructions, again the angel says: “She must do everything I have commanded her.” (v. 14)
In other words: It’s not for you to know the future. I require obedience in the face of the unknown.
Many times my husband and I have lamented that we just wish we knew whether or not we’ll ever get pregnant. It seems like it would be much easier if we just knew and could “get on with our lives” either way. If we can’t ever have kids, God, just tell us now. Then we can just stop bothering with “ttc tips” or ovulation kits or fertility supplements. No more wondering about whether or not we can book a big trip for next year or if we’ll have to stay home with a baby. It would just be nice to know.
But this story is a reminder that God’s plans for the future are not for us to know. The Bible tells us stories about who God is and how to obey Him, not where we’ll be in five years.
But while God doesn’t tell us the details of our futures, He does promise to take care of them for us. And He asks for obedience.
[This post is a part of my series on infertile women in the Bible, Barren + Biblical. Click here to return to the Barren + Biblical homepage.]
