Manoah’s wife

Judges 13:2-5
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. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

The children of Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord and were delivered into the hands of Philistines forty years. At this time there was a man of the family of Danites of Zorah, whose name was Manoah. Manoah means a place of rest. Although his wife was barren and had no children yet, Manoah and his wife seem to have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the Lord. Certainly Manoah’s wife did find a place of rest in dwelling with Manoah, a man of God. But being barren she must have waited long and yearned for a child.

The angel of the Lord appeared unto Manoah’s wife like the angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth to speak good news of great joy unto Manoah’s wife for she found favor in the Lord’s eyes. After a long wait, the time has just arrived when the Lord would grant her what she desired the most. The long wait brings in the best blessings some times. If you are waiting on the Lord for something you need, God is doing His work although He is silent. When the time is ripe, you will receive it. But, do not lose heart, hold on to God and His promises steadfastly. Do not waver in your faith, for God is an unchangeable God. He, who visited Manoah’s wife through an angel, will visit you too. The angel said that Manoah’s wife would conceive and bear a son. Manoah’s wife believed the words of the angel.

The angel of the Lord gave instructions on how Manoah’s wife was to be during the time of her pregnancy for the child in her womb shall be a Nazarite and he will deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines. Numbers 6:1-21 explains well on what a Nazarite vow of separation unto the Lord is. A Nazarite is a person who makes a special vow to live separately for the Lord. We as believers in Jesus Christ make a vow to live unto the Lord for His glory when we receive Christ into our heart as our Savior. II Corinthians 6:16 says, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” We are the temple of the living God and hence we are separated from the world and He is our God and we are His people. We will bring the people out of darkness into light like Samson (Manoah’s son) was going to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines. Are you living a life dedicated unto the Lord? If not now is the time to make that special vow by submitting your life for His glory! If there is a sin in your life or something unclean just cast it away with God’s help and strength. He will provide His grace and mercy for you as you re-dedicate your life to Him. He is longing for you to come to Him. Do not wait for now is the time!

Next: Angel Revisited Manoah and his Wife