Let the anger fill you and overpower your fear, but don’t let it overwhelm your common sense.”
–C.J. Petit (Marsh’s Valley)
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”
–Job 38:2 (NASB)
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“How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of … Samson…. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them.”
–Hebrews 11:32-33 (NLT)
Let’s take some time this morning to look again at Samson. First, we must look at the times in which he lived and the circumstances of his birth. We already know that Israel had become complacent and was satisfied to be subservient to the Philistines, especially the tribe of Dan. They were beginning to lose their identity.
Samson’ mother was barren, at that time considered a curse, and of old age, then one day “the angel of the Lord” appeared to her. Whenever “the angel” is mentioned most theologians believe it was the preincarnate Christ; it is different from “an angel”. So God comes down from heaven to meet especially with the wife of Manoah and give her the news that she will give birth to a son. It is interesting that we do not know the name of this woman, she is just Manoah’s wife. Think back to Abraham and Sarah. Sarah was of old age when the three men appeared before Abraham, one had to have been the preincarnate Christ. He told them what was to take place, that Sarah in her old age was to have a child.
Manoah asked the “angel” to give them instructions on how to raise the child. He did not give an answer; it was not needed for instructions had already been given. There is a good lesson for us. Often when we pray we seem to not have prayers answered, but it is because God has already answered us through His Word. The only additional instructions was that Samson was to be a Nazarite from his birth. In fact, his mother was instructed that she should follow the same instructions while she was pregnant. This was strongly emphasized, “let her observe all that I commanded.” (Judges 13:14, NASB)
Samson was to be a Nazarite from birth. Most, when taking the vow, do so for only a period of time; it was for a set period of time determined by the person who made the vow–but Samson was to be different. Numbers, chapter 6 tells us the basis of the Nazarite vow. Gary Inrig gives us a simplified view:
1. It was voluntary–an act of personal commitment, motivated by love and faith.
2. It was purposeful–it was for separation. The purpose of the vow was for a man to cut himself off from other things so that he could devote himself in a special act of consecration to the Lord.
3. The Nazarite vow was symbolic. a) They were to abstain from the fruit of the vine and strong drink. These things were signs of luxurious living, with the vow they were to live a simple life. b) They were not to cut their hair. This was a public sign of the vow. c) He was to avoid contact with a corpse. This was the sign of the preeminence of God in his life. Contact with death made a person unfit for the tabernacle; by avoiding the dead a person maintained his eligibility for public worship and constant fellowship with God.
When you read Numbers 6, one term stands out–“separation.” The vow indicated separation! So much could be said about that in regard to our life before the Lord, but space and time do not permit today.
I want to touch on one other point. Manoah asked the “angel” what His name was. (Judge 13:17) “But the angel of the LORD said to him, ‘Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?'” (vs 19) This term “wonderful” means “incomprehensible.” It brings to mind Isaiah 9:6, “…And His name will be called Wonderful…” (NASB) Also Revelation 19:12, “…He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.” (NASB)
Such is the background of this man Samson. A man to be a deliverer and a judge. A man called to be separate and called out from among the people. A man who would act on behalf of the Lord. Samson a man of unusual birth, and he will be a man of an unusual life.
——————————————
“How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of … Samson…. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them.”
–Hebrews 11:32-33 (NLT)
Let’s take some time this morning to look again at Samson. First, we must look at the times in which he lived and the circumstances of his birth. We already know that Israel had become complacent and was satisfied to be subservient to the Philistines, especially the tribe of Dan. They were beginning to lose their identity.
Samson’ mother was barren, at that time considered a curse, and of old age, then one day “the angel of the Lord” appeared to her. Whenever “the angel” is mentioned most theologians believe it was the preincarnate Christ; it is different from “an angel”. So God comes down from heaven to meet especially with the wife of Manoah and give her the news that she will give birth to a son. It is interesting that we do not know the name of this woman, she is just Manoah’s wife. Think back to Abraham and Sarah. Sarah was of old age when the three men appeared before Abraham, one had to have been the preincarnate Christ. He told them what was to take place, that Sarah in her old age was to have a child.
Manoah asked the “angel” to give them instructions on how to raise the child. He did not give an answer; it was not needed for instructions had already been given. There is a good lesson for us. Often when we pray we seem to not have prayers answered, but it is because God has already answered us through His Word. The only additional instructions was that Samson was to be a Nazarite from his birth. In fact, his mother was instructed that she should follow the same instructions while she was pregnant. This was strongly emphasized, “let her observe all that I commanded.” (Judges 13:14, NASB)
Samson was to be a Nazarite from birth. Most, when taking the vow, do so for only a period of time; it was for a set period of time determined by the person who made the vow–but Samson was to be different. Numbers, chapter 6 tells us the basis of the Nazarite vow. Gary Inrig gives us a simplified view:
1. It was voluntary–an act of personal commitment, motivated by love and faith.
2. It was purposeful–it was for separation. The purpose of the vow was for a man to cut himself off from other things so that he could devote himself in a special act of consecration to the Lord.
3. The Nazarite vow was symbolic. a) They were to abstain from the fruit of the vine and strong drink. These things were signs of luxurious living, with the vow they were to live a simple life. b) They were not to cut their hair. This was a public sign of the vow. c) He was to avoid contact with a corpse. This was the sign of the preeminence of God in his life. Contact with death made a person unfit for the tabernacle; by avoiding the dead a person maintained his eligibility for public worship and constant fellowship with God.
When you read Numbers 6, one term stands out–“separation.” The vow indicated separation! So much could be said about that in regard to our life before the Lord, but space and time do not permit today.
I want to touch on one other point. Manoah asked the “angel” what His name was. (Judge 13:17) “But the angel of the LORD said to him, ‘Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?'” (vs 19) This term “wonderful” means “incomprehensible.” It brings to mind Isaiah 9:6, “…And His name will be called Wonderful…” (NASB) Also Revelation 19:12, “…He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.” (NASB)
Such is the background of this man Samson. A man to be a deliverer and a judge. A man called to be separate and called out from among the people. A man who would act on behalf of the Lord. Samson a man of unusual birth, and he will be a man of an unusual life.