Manoah's Wife's Story

And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites,

whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.

Judges 13:2

Not much is known about Manoah's wife. We don't even know her name. But in Judges 13 verses two through 25 we learn about a special visit that leads to the birth of a remarkable and well known man, Samson.

An angel of the Lord appeared one day to Manoah's wife and told her that even though she had been barren for a long time she would soon conceive and have a son. The angel gave Manoah's wife specific instructions. He told her not to eat anything that wasn't kosher, not to drink wine and to never cut her son's hair because he was to be a Nazirite, a special servant of God, that would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines (vs. 3-5).

Manoah's wife, not sure of what she had seen or heard, ran back to Manoah and told him of her encounter. She explained that a man who was almost too bright to look upon told her she was pregnant. And though she didn't ask the man who he was or where he was from, she thought surely he was from the Lord. Manoah hearing this from his wife prayed and asked God to send the man back to give them more instructions on the upcoming birth of this baby they were now expecting.

Some time later when Manoah's wife was alone again in a field the man returned. Manoah's wife quickly ran to get Manoah and brought him back to the field where the man was waiting. Manoah asked the man if he was the one that had delivered the pregnancy news to his wife and the man replied, "I am."

I. Am. Two words that speak volumes.

Manoah asked if there were any other instructions they were to follow (as any good new father should do ;) but the man only repeated what he had already told Manoah's wife. Manoah asked the man to stay and offered him something to eat. The man told Manoah he would not eat but if Manoah brought something he should offer it as a sacrifice to the Lord. Manoah and his wife made a sacrificial offering to the Lord and as the flames were leaping toward Heaven the man ascended into the fire. It was then that Manoah and his wife were convinced they had been visited by the Lord.

What are we willing to give up for the Lord and His will in our life? Are we willing to give up alcohol, junk food or an unhealthy lifestyle? What about a career, an expensive car or a dream home? Or maybe just the comfort of complacency. One thing is clear, the Lord delights and appreciates our sacrifices when given in His name. Praise the Lord they are no longer required to enter into His Kingdom but what will we sacrifice out of love for Him? Maybe it is that "want" we hold onto that keeps us from receiving the full blessings of the Lord. Let it go and see what happens.

And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson:

and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him.

Judges 13:24