Judges 13:22

Manoah said—we shall surely die— See ch. Joshua 6:22 and the places there referred to.

REFLECTIONS.—We have here a continuation of what passed at this interview.

1. Manoah entreats him to prolong his stay, and take some refreshment with him before he departs. Note; When God sends his messengers with glad tidings to us, the least we can do is, to afford them kind entertainment.

2. The angel declines accepting his offer, though he does not forbid him to prepare the kid for sacrifice, which he might offer to the Lord, the only true object of worship. Note; The services that we do or offer to God's ministers, are acceptable sacrifices to God.

3. He refuses to gratify Manoah's curiosity when the latter inquired who he was, and where he lived, that he might, after the event, do him honour, spread his fame, or send him a present on the birth of his son. His name is secret, not to be known; for who, by searching, can find out God? or wonderful, as Christ is called, whose person, incarnation, and office, deserve this title. Note; (1.) It is highly desirable to cultivate acquaintance with a good man. (2.) If we ask in prayer what is not good for us to receive, the best answer is a denial. (3.) In our inquiries in religion, vain curiosity is dangerous. There are secret things which belong only to God, where it is our highest wisdom to be contentedly ignorant.

4. Manoah having prepared the offering and sacrifice, and laid it on the rock, the angel did wonderously: either, as in Gideon's sacrifice, he brought forth fire from the rock to consume it; or, if Manoah kindled the flame, to his astonishment he sees him ascend in the midst of the fire, and disappear; hereby evidently intimating his acceptance of the oblation, and discovering himself to them, who now were convinced that he was more than man who talked with them. Note; (1.) When we bring our hearts to God in prayer, Jesus will kindle the holy fire, and lift up our souls to heaven as the flame ascends. (2.) The ascent of the angel betokened the acceptableness of the offering. Jesus, our ascended Lord, is thus gone up to heaven, to present our sacrifices to God, as, for his sake, a sweet smelling savour.

5. For a time in silent wonder and dread, Manoah and his wife, after this strange sight, remained on their faces: when, rising to reflect on this transaction, Manoah expresses his fearful apprehensions, lest (as was then the general opinion) this divine appearance portended his death certain and near. Note; (1.) So weak are we, that we are afraid sometimes of our very mercies. (2.) A good man may at particular seasons be afraid to die.

6. His wife appears not only the strongest believer, but the wisest reasoner. She suggests the groundlessness of his fears from two arguments, strongly evidencing the favor of God towards them; 1. The acceptance of their sacrifice; and, 2 the promise that he had made them; for the accomplishment of which, they must needs live. Note; (1.) It is a singular mercy to have such a help-mate as Manoah's. (2.) When the sinner is cast down, he should remember what Christ has done for him by his bloody sacrifice, a sure proof that he designs not his death. (3.) The faithful, in times of discouraging providences or sore temptations, should remember the past experience of God's goodness, as a ground of present support. He that has helped us hitherto wills not our destruction at the last.