Samson's Parents

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Judges 13-16.

We are all too familiar with the story of Samson. The last few devotions in the previous years had us looking at different aspects in Samson's life. Yet often neglected but also noteworthy of our study is the parents of Samson.

We are told that they belonged to the tribe of Dan. The father was Manoah, while the mother was left unnamed. We see a couple that is exemplary and worthy of our learning in many ways.

1) Teamwork
In spite of being childless, we see that Manoah obviously still had a close relationship with his wife. We note how they worked as a team when the angel first appeared to Manoah's wife. Instead of dismissing his wife, he prayed, not for God to confirm what the wife said but for further instructions on how to raise such a child (Jgd 13:8). Subsequently, when the angel reappeared, the wife rushed to get Manoah. Throughout the rest of the event, the couple stuck together and even reasoned together when Manoah became anxious of seeing God through the angel.
Right from the start, God has ordained for the husband and wife to be a team! (Gen 2:20-24) Teamwork, the willingness on both halves, to cleave and work things out together, regardless of circumstances is an important part in the marriage relationship. No longer "you" and "I" but "us". Yet, in any team, there needs a team leader. The husband plays such a role (Eph 5:23), as we notice in the way Manoah conducts himself, while the wife plays a supportive role, not merely a "yes woman" as we've seen in Manoah's wife, but actively contributing to the well-being of the relationship/situations.

2) Hospitality
Manoah showed great hospitality to the angel (whom he had yet known). Certainly reminds us of a similar description in Abraham (Gen 18). It is no wonder, being hospitable is one of the "qualifications" of the elder (1Ti 3:2). And also Paul exhorts us to "be not forgetful to entertain strangers..." (Heb 13:2), in the 2nd part of the verse of which seems to be an obvious allusion to Abraham!

3) Spiritually minded
The fact that Samson could wax mighty, showed that his parents had indeed followed God's instructions strictly and raised Samson as a Nazarite.
In spite of Samson's penchant for exotic women, we note that it was definitely not a case of condoning or negligent parents! Manoah and his wife were upset with Samson when he first brought up his love interest (Jdg 14:3). Note it was a combined effort in rebuke (again pointing to their teamwork!). Unfortunately the rebuke fell on deaf ears.
Manoah and his wife sought to live their lives faithfully and raised their child in the most godly manner possible. Obviously, we are all ultimately responsible for our actions, but it is almost certain Manoah and his wife did their honest best they could. Same goes for us today - some may want to compare how one another's children turn out and make comparisons. Yet we note that the outcome can only show that much. What is far more important is for us to always seek to do God's will in raising our children. Lord willing, they will turn out to be useful vessels for His cause.

Let us continue to learn from the great examples before us and live our lives as best as God would have us to.

in Him
Paul


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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. ~ Acts 20:7