Both Manoah and Zechariah had wives who were "barren and had borne no children" (Jgs 13:2; Lk 1:7). In a message from an angel, God promised each of these men that he would miraculously become a father of a son (Jgs 13:7; Lk 1:13). God also revealed to these men that their sons would be lifelong nazirites (Jgs 13:7; Lk 1:15; see Nm 6:2ff) and be extremely important in God's plan of salvation (Jgs 13:5; Lk 1:14-17). Manoah and Zechariah had much in common.
However, one difference between Manoah and Zechariah was faith. Manoah believed the angel's message, while Zechariah did not. Zechariah was punished for his lack of faith by being struck deaf (see Lk 1:62) and dumb (Lk 1:20) during his wife's pregnancy. When Zechariah eventually believed and obeyed God, his tongue was loosed (Lk 1:64), and he then had even more in common with Manoah. Then he too was a man of faith.
Will you be a Manoah or a Zechariah this Christmas? Will you be an early Zechariah or a late one? Will you live "a life of faith" (Gal 2:20) or suffer the second death? (Rv 20:14)
| PRAYER: | Father, give me faith by hearing You. Give me hearing by Your Word (Rm 10:17). |
| PROMISE: | "God Himself will go before him, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the rebellious to the wisdom of the just, and to prepare for the Lord a people well-disposed." –Lk 1:17 |
| PRAISE: | "O come now, Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe deliver them!" |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College