Topical Bible: Faith: Manoah's Wife

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Manoah's wife, though unnamed in the biblical text, plays a significant role in the narrative of Samson's birth and is a remarkable example of faith in the Old Testament. Her account is found in Judges 13, where she is visited by the Angel of the LORD and receives a divine message concerning the birth of her son, Samson, who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines.

Divine Encounter and Promise

The account begins with the Israelites once again doing evil in the sight of the LORD, resulting in their subjugation by the Philistines for forty years (Judges 13:1). In this context, the Angel of the LORD appears to Manoah's wife, who is described as barren. The angel announces, "Indeed, you are barren and have borne no children, but you will conceive and give birth to a son" (Judges 13:3). This promise is reminiscent of other miraculous births in Scripture, highlighting God's intervention in human history.

The angel instructs her to adhere to specific Nazirite vows for her son, saying, "Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and not to eat anything unclean. For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines" (Judges 13:4-5). Her faith is evident in her immediate acceptance of the angel's message and her commitment to follow these instructions.

Communication with Manoah

Upon receiving the message, Manoah's wife demonstrates her faith by relaying the encounter to her husband. She describes the angel as "a man of God" with an appearance "like the Angel of God, very awesome" (Judges 13:6). Manoah, desiring confirmation and further instruction, prays for the angel to return. God answers his prayer, and the angel appears again to Manoah's wife while she is in the field. She quickly runs to inform Manoah, who then speaks with the angel himself (Judges 13:8-11).

Obedience and Worship

Manoah's wife exhibits faith through her obedience to the angel's instructions. When Manoah offers a burnt offering to the LORD, the angel ascends in the flame of the altar, confirming the divine nature of the message (Judges 13:19-20). Manoah fears they will die for having seen God, but his wife reassures him, saying, "If the LORD had intended to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or told us such things as these" (Judges 13:23). Her response reflects a deep trust in God's purposes and promises.

Legacy of Faith

Manoah's wife gives birth to Samson, and "the boy grew, and the LORD blessed him" (Judges 13:24). Her faith and obedience set the stage for Samson's role as a judge of Israel, despite his personal failings. Her account underscores the importance of faith in God's promises and the impact of faithful obedience on future generations.

In summary, Manoah's wife exemplifies faith through her acceptance of God's message, her obedience to His commands, and her trust in His plans. Her account is a testament to the power of faith in the face of uncertainty and the fulfillment of God's promises through those who believe.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 13:23
But his wife said to him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Go in Peace
... confession of sin, your struggle after faith, and the dawnings of your faith are
just ... Manoah's wife said to him, "If the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 48 1902/go in peace.htm

Christian Behavior
... to have his spouse keep at home; that is, to be with him in the faith and practice ...
Somewhat like to this dealt Manoah's wife with her husband (Judges 13:22, 23 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... Manoah then knew who he was: therefore He said unto ... of divorce: But whosoe'er shall
put his wife away, Except ... he not therefore O ye of little faith, clothe you ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Book v. --General Reply to Sundry of Marcion's Heresies.
... Joseph then. Likewise, with his but just delivered wife. ... In silence. Is not, then,
faith manifest? ... Jacob's words in Genesis 32:30; Manoah's in Judges 13:22; etc. ...
/.../book v general reply to sundry.htm

The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... Accordingly, Manoah and his wife infer from the sign ... Hence Manoah's exclamation,
"We shall die; for we have ... numberless passages in which our faith rests secure ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm