Samson, a star is born, will take lead in delivering Israel, dedicated to God from the womb. And the spirit of the Lord began to stir him. May the same spirit stir you as well. Cheers everyone!!

Then Manoah prayed to the LORD and said, “O Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us and teach us what we are to do with the child who will be born.” – Judges 13:8 Here we see a pious parents who is seeking the lord for instructions to train their child. We should also trust & seek God for our children.

Manoah, a typical man who was not able to trust his wife. What was her reaction? She was a husband -honoring wife.Manoah thought he would die because he saw God. However, she was a wise woman to reason well. We do not know her name but she was a super man’s mom.😀

God had already given instructions to Manoah’s wife concerning the boy who will be born (v. 5). But, Manoah wanted to hear from God directly which seems to be unreasonable. Manoah prayed earnestly and God answered his prayers (vv. 8-9). God answers our crazy prayers too.

The general scenario was – the Israelites cry to the Lord, the Lord chooses a leader and delivers them. God’s plan is little different in this chapter. A child is born to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines. Instructions are given to the mother on what not to do before and after the child was born. The husband was not confident on what his wife saw and told. Still God heard Manoah and sent the angel once again.(V5)The child was set apart to God from birth.(24,25)the Lord blessed the child and the spirit of the Lord began to stir him.

(v. 12) Manoah asked angel of the Lord “When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule that governs the boy’s life and work?”
-When Manoah met the angel of the Lord, he “confirmed” or “clarified” it again with the angel.
-If we are unsure of anything, we should ask God, God will speak to us through His words. For any clarification, we should go refer to His words, and meditate upon it to get answer from God.

God has a special plan for Samson. We don’t know why he was picked or why his family was chosen. Everything seems to be going right for him. His parents are happy, the Lord blessed him and the Spirit if the Lord was on him. But it’s kind of a long wait for deliverance. I’m sure it tested a lot of people’s patience and faith.

What I see in Manoah is Fear…
(V.21,22 Manoah realized that it was the angel of the Lord. “We are doomed to die!” he said to his wife.)
But, what I see in his wife is Faith…
(V.23 If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted the burnt offering….)
His wife explains everything to Manoah very clearly.
We have to be supportive with each other to overcome fear with faith.
As always Faith wins, Fear loses😉 😊

One day the angel of the Lord appeared as man to Manoah’s wife and told her that she would have a child.The appearance of the angel to Mrs. Manoah teaches me about two ways God moves in our life.
1. Judges 13:3- The angel of the Lord came without any invitation or prayer request from Manoah’s family- He chooses the best without any desire from us.
2. Judges 13:(8-31)- It was the prayer of Manoah that brought the angel of the Lord back the second time- on our prayer request. Matthew 21:22 says-And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. What an amazing God we serve!!!