Why God Hides Until the Appointed End Arrives in Midrash Shmuel

Midrash Shmuel 14:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"At this time tomorrow I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, etc. [for I have seen My people, because its cry has come to Me]" (1 Samuel 9:16). Rav Hanan bar Ada inquired: Concerning the past? No. Rather, before the appointed end has arrived, the Holy One, blessed be He, removes Himself far off; once the appointed end has arrived, the Holy One, blessed be He, makes Himself known.

Retold in these myths

God Tells His Prophets the Secret Before He ActsAmos swore God never moves without warning his prophets first. Midrash Shmuel turns that single line into a roll call of everyone who heard the secret early.

Themes

RedemptionHeresyConversionTime

Biblical References

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