THE LIFE OF SAMSON

Lesson #6

 

The Birth of Samson (cont.)

Judges 13:2-25

Victor M. Eskew

 

V.      EXPEDITIOUS ANSWER (Judg. 13:9-21)

 

A.   The Coming of the Angel (Judg. 13:9-10)

 

B.   The Conversation with the Angel (Judg. 13:11-18)

1.    Investigation (Judg. 13:11)

2.    Information (Judg. 13:12-14)

3.    Invitation (Judg. 13:15-16)

4.    Identification (Judg. 13:17-18)

a.    The Question of Manoah (Judg. 13:17)

b.    The Question of the Angel (Judg. 13:18)

 

And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?

 

1)    At first it appears that the angel refuses to give Manoah an answer to his question.  The KJV leaves the idea that the angel’s name is “secret,” that is, not to be known.

a)    Secret

-      Definition

+        Strong (6383):  remarkable

+        BDB:  wonderful, incomprehensible, extraordinary

-      In the margin of the original KJV, the term “wonderful” is put for “secret.”

-      It is the same word translated “wonderful” in Isaiah 9:6

 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:  and the government shall be upon his shoulders:  and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

 

-      When one is “wonderful,” he creates wonder in others.

2)    LESSONS:

a)    Jesus is certainly Wonderful.  Nothing is so wonderful.

b)    Those who reject Jesus will know Him by name such as Judge, Lion, Stone of Stumbling and Rock of Offence, and He that hath the keys of death and hell.

 

C.   The Confirmation of the Angel (Judge 13:19-21)

1.    The Action of the Angel (Judg. 13:19-21a)

 

So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the Lord:  and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.  For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar.  And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.  But the angel of the Lord did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife.

 

a.    Manoah’s Devotion (Judg. 13:19a)

1)    Manoah demonstrated faith as he obeyed the angel and offered an offering unto the Lord.

2)    Manoah demonstrated courage worshiping God instead of Baal.

b.    The Angel’s Demonstration (Judg. 13:19b-21a)

1)    The angel did wondrously.  This is the same word translated “secret” in Judges 13:18.

2)    His wonderful act is recorded for us.  “…the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar.”

a)    He ascended up to heaven.

b)    He ascended up in fire but was not burned.

c)    He ascended up in the fire of an offering presented to God.

2.    The Affirmation (Judg. 13:21b)

 

Then Manoah knew that this was the angel of the Lord.

 

a.    God proved to Manoah who it was who had appeared to him.

b.    He knew:  to perceive, find out and discern, to know by experience, to recognize

c.    LESSON:  There are two ways for man to know.

1)    Through personal experience (Thomas, John 20:25-28)

 

The other disciples therefore said unto him (Thomas), We have seen the Lord.  But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.  And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them:  then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

 

2)    Through the testimony of reliable witnesses.  Jesus calls these, “they that have not seen” (John 20:29).

 

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed:  blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

 

VI.     AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE (Judg. 13:22-23)

 

A.   The Response of Manoah (Judg. 13:22)

 

And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

 

1.    Convinced as to the identity of the visitor, Manoah now feared for his life.

2.    Seeing God, and dying as a result was a common belief of that day.

a.    Jacob (Gen. 32:30)

 

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel:  for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

 

b.    Gideon (Judg. 6:22-23)

 

And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord, God!  For because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face.  And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not:  thou shalt not die.

 

 

3.    Lesson:  It is difficult for us to comprehend the greatness and majesty and power of the Almighty God.

a.    The Israelites heard God’s voice, and feared death (Exo. 20:19).

b.    At the second coming of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11).