“And 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.”
Context:Judges 13 is the beginning of the story of Samson, one of the judges of Israel. In this chapter, an angel appears to Manoah’s wife, who was barren, and announces that she will conceive and bear a son who will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth.
Manoah’s Sacrifice:In verse 19, Manoah, upon learning about the angelic visitation, takes a young goat (a kid) and prepares a meat offering. He offers it upon a rock as a sacrifice to the Lord. This action demonstrates Manoah’s reverence and obedience to God.
Worship and Revelation:Manoah’s act of sacrifice upon the rock is significant. The rock symbolises a place of worship and encounter with God. In the Old Testament, God was often associated with the rock, a place of refuge and strength. Offering sacrifices on the rock was a way of acknowledging God’s presence and seeking His favour.
The Angel’s Response:As Manoah and his wife observed the offering, the angel performed a wondrous act. While the specific details are not mentioned in this verse, the subsequent verses reveal that the angel ascended in the flame of the altar, confirming the divine nature of the encounter.
Observing God’s Work:The mention that Manoah and his wife looked on indicates their attentiveness and awe at what they were witnessing. This suggests that they were actively seeking God’s guidance and open to experiencing His miraculous works.
Lessons for us today:
- Obedience and Worship:Manoah’s actions demonstrate the importance of obedience to God’s instructions and the significance of worship. Like Manoah, we should be willing to offer our sacrifices of praise and obedience to God on the altar of our hearts.
- Expectant Faith:Manoah and his wife had been childless, but their encounter with the angel brought them hope. Their expectant faith teaches us to trust God’s promises and remain open to His miraculous intervention, even in seemingly impossible situations.
- Recognising God’s Presence:Manoah’s act of sacrifice on the rock acknowledges God’s presence and invites His divine intervention. In our lives, we can also create an atmosphere of worship and reverence, recognising that God is always with us.
- Spiritual Encounters:Manoah’s encounter with the angel reminds us that God can reveal Himself to us in unexpected ways. We should be attentive and receptive to His leading, seeking His presence in our lives and desiring spiritual encounters with Him.
