Judges 13:21 describes the moment Manoah finally understands the true identity of the mysterious figure who had been visiting him and his wife. Let's break it down:
"But Yahweh’s angel didn’t appear to Manoah or to his wife any more." This is key. The appearances have stopped. The supernatural encounters have ceased. This absence is what triggers Manoah's realization.
"Then Manoah knew that he was Yahweh’s angel." The stopping of the appearances is what prompts his realization. During the preceding interactions, Manoah and his wife didn't fully grasp the divine nature of their visitor, but now that the angel has permanently left, it hits him.
Why does the disappearance make him realize it?
Confirmation by Absence: The supernatural appearances, combined with the sudden ending, confirm to Manoah that the visitor was not an ordinary person. Ordinary people don't just vanish after delivering profound prophecies.
The Significance of the Message: The message about the child to be born (Samson) was so important and profound, and the instructions so specific, that it would have been clear that the speaker was not an ordinary person. The cessation of the visits cements the notion that this was not some random passer-by.
In essence, the verse highlights:
Divine Mystery: The story emphasizes the mysterious and unpredictable nature of divine intervention.
Gradual Revelation: The understanding of God's presence can be a gradual process, even for those who directly experience it. Manoah wasn't immediately aware of the angel's identity, it was only after the fact.
The Power of Absence: Sometimes, the absence of something can be just as powerful as its presence in conveying meaning and understanding. The cessation of the appearances cemented Manoah's understanding of who this figure was and that is was no mere mortal.
Judges 13:21 describes the moment Manoah finally understands the true identity of the mysterious figure who had been visiting him and his wife. Let's break it down:
"But Yahweh’s angel didn’t appear to Manoah or to his wife any more." This is key. The appearances have stopped. The supernatural encounters have ceased. This absence is what triggers Manoah's realization.
"Then Manoah knew that he was Yahweh’s angel." The stopping of the appearances is what prompts his realization. During the preceding interactions, Manoah and his wife didn't fully grasp the divine nature of their visitor, but now that the angel has permanently left, it hits him.
Why does the disappearance make him realize it?
Confirmation by Absence: The supernatural appearances, combined with the sudden ending, confirm to Manoah that the visitor was not an ordinary person. Ordinary people don't just vanish after delivering profound prophecies.
The Significance of the Message: The message about the child to be born (Samson) was so important and profound, and the instructions so specific, that it would have been clear that the speaker was not an ordinary person. The cessation of the visits cements the notion that this was not some random passer-by.
In essence, the verse highlights:
Divine Mystery: The story emphasizes the mysterious and unpredictable nature of divine intervention.
Gradual Revelation: The understanding of God's presence can be a gradual process, even for those who directly experience it. Manoah wasn't immediately aware of the angel's identity, it was only after the fact.
The Power of Absence: Sometimes, the absence of something can be just as powerful as its presence in conveying meaning and understanding. The cessation of the appearances cemented Manoah's understanding of who this figure was and that is was no mere mortal.