Setting – The angel of the Lord announcing the coming of Samson.
Content – Israel, once again, did evil in the sight of God. God handed them over to the Philistines who kept them under subjection for 40 years. God was going to deliver them from the Philistines through Samson. The angel of the Lord came to Manoah’s wife (who was barren) saying that she will bear a son (Samson). He will be a Nazirite, so she wasn’t to neither drink any wine, eat grapes or raisins nor eat any forbidden food.
The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife, but Manaoh’s prayed for God to have the person appear again (v. 8 NLT), “Lord, please let the man of God come back to us again and give us more instructions about this son who is to be born.”, and he did to both Mahaoh and his wife.
Manoah ask the man’s name in order to honor him, but the man’s response (v. 18 NLT), “’Why do you ask my name?’ the angel of the LORD replied. ‘You wouldn't understand if I told you.’” Manoah also offered food for the angel, but the angel declined, but allowed for a sacrifice to God to be offered. The angel ascended up to heaven within the fire and smoke (v. 20 NLT) “As the flames from the altar shot up toward the sky, the angel of the LORD ascended in the fire. When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell with their faces to the ground.” Manoah felt like the Lord would kill them since (v. 22), “…We will die, for we have seen God!” But Manoah’s wife insured him that this would not happened based on the information and circumstances that took place, saying that they will have a son.
Samson was born (v. 24), “When her son was born, they named him Samson. And the LORD blessed him as he grew up.”
Application – God provides deliverance for His people. Just like the wilderness, God disciplined Israel for 40 years. After that time, they entered the Promise Land. Here, after 40 years under the Philistines, God appointed Samson to deliver the Israelites from captivity.
Even though we ‘do evil in the sight of God’ God is ready to deliver us. The book of Judges is proof that God is focused on delivering His people from bondage. We also see that God is willing to discipline in order to bring His people back to Himself.
Content – Israel, once again, did evil in the sight of God. God handed them over to the Philistines who kept them under subjection for 40 years. God was going to deliver them from the Philistines through Samson. The angel of the Lord came to Manoah’s wife (who was barren) saying that she will bear a son (Samson). He will be a Nazirite, so she wasn’t to neither drink any wine, eat grapes or raisins nor eat any forbidden food.
The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife, but Manaoh’s prayed for God to have the person appear again (v. 8 NLT), “Lord, please let the man of God come back to us again and give us more instructions about this son who is to be born.”, and he did to both Mahaoh and his wife.
Manoah ask the man’s name in order to honor him, but the man’s response (v. 18 NLT), “’Why do you ask my name?’ the angel of the LORD replied. ‘You wouldn't understand if I told you.’” Manoah also offered food for the angel, but the angel declined, but allowed for a sacrifice to God to be offered. The angel ascended up to heaven within the fire and smoke (v. 20 NLT) “As the flames from the altar shot up toward the sky, the angel of the LORD ascended in the fire. When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell with their faces to the ground.” Manoah felt like the Lord would kill them since (v. 22), “…We will die, for we have seen God!” But Manoah’s wife insured him that this would not happened based on the information and circumstances that took place, saying that they will have a son.
Samson was born (v. 24), “When her son was born, they named him Samson. And the LORD blessed him as he grew up.”
Application – God provides deliverance for His people. Just like the wilderness, God disciplined Israel for 40 years. After that time, they entered the Promise Land. Here, after 40 years under the Philistines, God appointed Samson to deliver the Israelites from captivity.
Even though we ‘do evil in the sight of God’ God is ready to deliver us. The book of Judges is proof that God is focused on delivering His people from bondage. We also see that God is willing to discipline in order to bring His people back to Himself.
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