“And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am.”
Context: The book of Judges recounts the history of Israel during the time of the judges, a period characterized by a cycle of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Judges 13 introduces the story of Samson, one of the most well-known judges of Israel.
In Judges 13, an angel of the Lord appears to the wife of Manoah, a childless woman, and informs her that she will conceive and bear a son who will be a Nazirite from birth. The Nazirite vow involved a special consecration to God, which included refraining from drinking wine, avoiding contact with dead bodies, and letting the hair grow.
Manoah’s response: Manoah, the husband of the woman visited by the angel, arises and goes after his wife to meet the angel. This shows his trust in his wife’s account and his desire to hear directly from the angel.
Manoah’s question: When he approaches the angel, Manoah asks, “Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman?” This question seeks confirmation from the angel, seeking to ascertain the truth of the matter. Manoah wants to be sure that the angel he sees is the same one who spoke to his wife.
The angel’s reply: The angel responds, “I am,” confirming that he is indeed the same being who spoke to Manoah’s wife. This straightforward answer reassures Manoah and establishes the authenticity of the angel’s message.
Lessons from Judges 13:11:
- Trust in God’s promises: Manoah’s response teaches us the importance of trust and faith in God’s promises. He trusted his wife’s account of the encounter with the angel and sought confirmation directly from the angel himself. In our own lives, we should trust in God’s promises and seek His confirmation through prayer, studying His Word, and seeking His guidance.
- Seeking confirmation: Manoah’s question and the angel’s response highlight the significance of seeking confirmation when we encounter spiritual experiences or messages. Manoah wanted to ensure that the message was authentic and from God. Similarly, we should seek confirmation and discernment when we encounter spiritual experiences, teachings, or prophetic messages. We can do this by comparing them with Scripture and seeking godly counsel.
- God’s faithfulness: The angel’s straightforward answer, “I am,” demonstrates God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Just as God was faithful to His promise of a son to Manoah and his wife, we can trust in God’s faithfulness in our own lives. He will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing and according to His will.
Overall, Judges 13:11 reminds us of the importance of trust, seeking confirmation, and relying on God’s faithfulness in our spiritual journey.
