Samson's Dad

By Mary Vee
Judges 13

Manoah's Thoughts

My wife and I live in the northern area of Israel. I'm from the tribe of Dan. We don't have any children. I had always hoped the Almighty would give us a child, sure would be nice to have a son. But these things are in the hands of the Lord.

One night when I came home from my work something unusual happened. 

My wife set the food on the table. She had an odd look on her face, like she wanted to tell me something but didn't know what to say. I decided to wait until she could speak.

After a few minutes she said, "A Man of God visited me today. He looked like an Angel of God--very awesome." she took a deep breath. "I can't find the words to describe Him.  I didn't think to ask where He was from and He didn't tell me His name.

She pressed her hands together. "He spoke to me, Manoah."

She looked out the window and thought for a moment. I tried to imagine what the Angel of God looked like. What would I do if I had met Him? I had to admit, I didn't know.

She smiled and faced me. "He knew we didn't have any children."

Her smile told me the rest of her news would be good.  I sat forward waiting to hear more.

Her eyes closed for a moment. "He said we would have a baby. A boy. He also told me not to drink any wine, or anything like it. Oh, and I am not to eat any unclean animal because this baby will be a Nazarite to God from the first day he is in my womb to the day he dies."

I jumped from my chair. "The Angel said our son will be used by God? This is wonderful news. I have so many questions!"

I ran outside and looked up at the heavens. "O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born."

I could barely sleep that night. A few days later my wife ran out to greet me. Her news must have been important for her to run so wildly. "Manoah!" She cried. "Remember the Angel of God I told you about the other day? Well, He just not appeared to me!"

Praise God. He answered my prayer.  "Show me."

I followed her to the Man. I didn't know what to say. First, I caught my breath. "Are You the Man who spoke to this woman?"

He nodded. "I am."

"What should we do for the boy You've promised. What work will he do?"

The Angel of the Lord said, "The most important instruction I have for your wife is be careful. She may not eat anything that comes from the vine, nor drink wine or anything like it. She also may not eat anything unclean. She needs to obey all my commands."

To think, the Lord God chose us to have a special baby boy!  I wondered what he would be like. I wondered what God wanted him to do. Until I could find out, I decided to follow all the Angel of the Lord's instructions.

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1.  Why did the Angel of the Lord visit Manoah's wife?

2.  What did he tell her to do?

3.  Who did she first tell her news?

4.  After he heard the news what did Manoah do?

5.  Who visited Manoah?

6.  What did He tell Manoah to do?

7.  What kind of father do you think Manoah will be?