Judges 13 - Introduction

A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 13

Judges 13:1-7

Announcement of Samson's birth to his mother. Israel turned away from God again. During this period of apostasy an angel of the Lord came to the wife of a man who was a member of the tribe of Dan. This woman was told the nature of the son who was to be born to her. He was to be a Nazarite from the time of his birth.

Judges 13:8-14

Announcement of Samson's birth to his father. Manoah asked the angel of the Lord to appear to him also in order for him to be assured of the truth of the message which his wife related to him. His request was granted and the angel of the Lord appeared to the two together. There was no question about God's intention of working great deliverance from the Philistine oppressors at the hands of the son to be born to the God-fearing couple in Dan.

Judges 13:15-25

The birth of Samson. Manoah thought he and his wife had seen God face to face. He knew no man could see God and live. He, therefore, thought they would be smitten and die. His wife, however, reasoned more logically than he. She believed their offering would not have been accepted if they were to be slain, She was right. They lived and became parents of Samson, the twelfth of Israel's judges.

LESSONS FOR LEARNING

1.

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. The first announcement of the coming of the deliverer in the days when the Philistines were oppressing Israel was made to his mother, God blessed the nation through the giving of a son in the home of a righteous mother. God had done this before. Such was the case of His sending Moses to Israel in the home of a righteous woman, Jochebed. Such was the case in the days of Samuel when God heard the prayer of his mother, Hannah. So, it was in the days of the sending of the Son of God to be cradled in the arms of the virgin Mary. The world never really fully appreciates the blessing of righteous mother love.

2.

God is long-suffering. Manoah wanted reassurance of the announcement made to his wife. He asked for a second appearance of the angel of God. God granted his request. In similar fashion, God has given man undeniable evidence of His love. Little by littlehere a line, there a line; here a precept, there a preceptGod has made clear the path which leads to eternal life. God has been patient through the centuries. He is not willing for any to perish, but He waits for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

3.

Man wants to see God. Moses wanted to see God. He was allowed to see the passing by of God's glory (Exodus 33:17-23). God told Moses that no man could see Him and live. Manoah knew this, still he wanted to know God's will for his life. When the Angel of the Lord appeared, he thought he had seen God. He had seen one aspect of God's being, but his wife knew that they were not to die since God had accepted their sacrifice. Although man cannot see God in the flesh, one day without his flesh he shall see God, if he is faithful to God.

TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 13

1.

Who were the oppressors of Israel in the days of Samson?

2.

How long did they oppress Israel?

3.

Of what tribe was Samson a member?

4.

What kind of vow was Samson to keep throughout his life?

5.

What was the name of Samson's father?

6.

Could Samson keep his vow and drink wine?

7.

Could Samson have his hair cut and keep his vow?

8.

Could Samson eat of unclean animals and keep his vow?

9.

Could Samson eat grapes and still keep his vow?

10.

What kind of animal did Samson's father offer to the angel?