“And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the Lord. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the Lord.”
Context:The book of Judges records the period of Israel’s history after they entered the Promised Land, where they were ruled by a series of judges, who acted as military leaders and deliverers. Judges 13 introduces us to the story of Samson, one of the most well-known judges in the Bible. This verse takes place when the angel of the Lord appears to Samson’s parents, Manoah and his wife, announcing the birth of Samson.
Recognition of the angel:Manoah didn’t initially realise that the visitor was an angel. He saw the angel as a man and treated him hospitably, offering him a meal. However, the angel declined Manoah’s offer, stating that he would not eat the bread but instead requested a burnt offering to be offered to the Lord.
Reverence and worship:The angel’s response reveals his divine nature and emphasises the importance of recognising and honouring God’s presence. Manoah’s gesture of hospitality was commendable, but the angel redirected his focus to offering a burnt offering to the Lord. This indicates that the angel desired Manoah’s reverence and worship to be directed toward God alone.
Spiritual discernment:Manoah’s lack of awareness regarding the angel’s identity highlights the need for spiritual discernment. Although Manoah was a righteous man, he didn’t immediately recognise the angel of the Lord. This serves as a reminder that spiritual discernment is essential in understanding and responding to God’s presence and guidance in our lives.
Lessons for us:In this verse, we can learn several important lessons. Firstly, we should always be attentive and open to recognising God’s presence and His messengers in our lives, even if they come in unexpected ways. Secondly, our reverence and worship should be directed toward God alone, not toward any created being, even if they appear divine. Lastly, developing spiritual discernment is crucial for understanding and responding to God’s leading and guidance in our lives.
As we study this verse and the story of Samson further, we discover the unique calling and purpose God had for Samson and the significant role he played in Israel’s history. It reminds us that God can work through ordinary individuals and use them for extraordinary purposes when they yield to His plan and purposes.
