MIRACULOUS BIRTHS: SAMSON
Read it
Judges 13:6-8
6 Then the woman went to her husband and told him, “A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn’t ask him where he came from, and he didn’t tell me his name. 7 But he said to me, ‘You will become pregnant and have a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite of God from the womb until the day of his death.’” 8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”
Discover It
Manoah and his wife were “childless and barren.” And during the time of the Judges in Israel’s history this brought embarrassment and shame to a family. But then an angel appeared and told them they would have a son. Given the name of Samson, this son grew up to be a powerful but flawed hero. Although he defeated the Philistines in battle, he was fleshly, prideful, immoral, and ultimately unfaithful to the Lord, breaking his Nazirite vow of purity. But at the end of his life, conquered and blinded by his enemies, he asked God for one final thing: “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus, he killed many more when he died than while he lived.
Ask It
1. Why do you think an angel appeared to announce to Manoah and his wife that they would have a son in verse six of Judges 13?
2. In verse seven, the angel commanded her to, “drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean” while she was pregnant. What do you think is the spiritual reason to follow this command? What do you think is the practical reason to follow this command?
3. In verse eight, “Manoah prayed to the Lord: ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.’” Why should we ask God to teach us how to raise our children? How do you think God teaches us to raise our children?
Live It
1. Be Ready for God to Speak! You do this by speaking regularly to God in prayer and by reading His word, the Bible. Are you ready to hear when God speaks to you?
2. Listen when God Speaks! When the Lord shows you what to do, listen to him. Write down what you believe his will is. Consult his word and Godly friends to confirm His will. Pray to confirm His will!
3. Follow when God Speaks! Manoah and his wife were ready to hear, listened when God spoke, and then followed, desiring to raise their son the right way. We can do no less. Be ready to follow God!
Pray It
“Lord, speak to me that I may speak, in living echoes of your tone. As you have sought, so let me seek, your earring children, lost and lone.” – Frances R. Havergal (1872)
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