Judges 13:5 For, see, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head… And he shall begin to deliver Israel. There is a parsimony of expression here that is highly expressive. It is not said, "he shall deliver," as of a complete work, but only "he shall begin" to do so. How many reasons were there for this! Do they not also hold good for the grander work of human salvation? I. HINDRANCES TO THE COMPLETE SALVATION OF ISRAEL. 1. It was a work which required to be, in the first place, and mainly, spiritual in order to its being thorough 2. In order to this the penalty of past transgression had in greater measure to befelt. The transgression had been great, repeated, and habitual. A stern lesson had to be read to the guilty. It was an evil inflicted in order to induce repentance. The moral depths of human nature were being sounded and discovered to itself, that in the fulness of time a Divine Saviour might be sought. 3. Meanwhile the nature and character of the deliverer did not admit of such a work being completed. He was but a man: his consecration was merely or chiefly external; the faults of his character were glaring, His deeds, accordingly, are those of physical heroism and strength. Only once or twice do any hints of more than human wisdom occur. II. CONSOLATIONS ATTACHED TO THIS INCOMPLETE SALVATION. 1. It was actually begun. 2. God had undertaken it, and provided the instrument. 3. As being a professedly partial undertaking, it showed a far-reaching and thorough scheme. 4. The conditions of its ultimate accomplishment were with themselves. - M. Parallel Verses KJV: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. |
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