What is the meaning of Judges 13:23? But his wife replied Manoah had just declared, “We will surely die, for we have seen God!” (Judges 13:22). • His wife answers with calm, reasoned faith, modeling the “gentle and quiet spirit” praised in 1 Peter 3:4. • She steps into leadership when her husband falters, much like Abigail who intervened wisely in 1 Samuel 25:32–33. • Proverbs 31:26 notes, “She opens her mouth with wisdom,” a fitting description here. If the LORD had intended to kill us, She begins with God’s intent, interpreting their experience through His character. • Genesis 18:25 reminds, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” • Psalm 30:5 declares, “His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime,” anchoring her assurance that God’s visitation was gracious, not lethal. He would not have accepted the burnt offering The burnt offering symbolized total consecration; acceptance signified divine favor (Leviticus 1:9). • Abel’s accepted offering (Genesis 4:4) and fire falling on Elijah’s sacrifice (1 Kings 18:38) both signaled God’s approval. • If the LORD had taken pleasure in destroying them, He would have rejected, not received, their act of worship. and the grain offering from our hands, The grain (or “meal”) offering expressed gratitude for daily provision (Leviticus 2:1–3). • Malachi 1:10–11 shows God refuses offerings when hearts are wrong; acceptance therefore reveals relationship, not wrath. • Philippians 4:18 uses the same imagery—a fragrant offering—underscoring that God delights in sincere gifts, not in slaying the givers. nor would He have shown us all these things Revelation is a privilege granted to friends, not foes. • Genesis 18:17: “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” • John 15:15: “I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.” Being shown “all these things” (the coming birth of Samson and God’s purposes) is evidence of covenant favor. or spoken to us this way. God’s word gives life, not destruction. • Deuteronomy 5:24–26 acknowledges that hearing God’s voice and yet living is extraordinary grace. • Isaiah 55:11 promises His word works salvation, not arbitrary death. If God speaks peace and promise, the listeners can rest assured of His benevolent intent. summary Manoah’s wife reasons from experience: accepted sacrifices, gracious revelations, and living words all prove God’s purpose is to bless, not to kill. Her faith-filled logic calms fear, affirms God’s goodness, and sets the stage for Samson’s miraculous birth—a reminder that when God receives our worship and reveals His plans, we can trust His intent is always life and redemption. |
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