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SAMSON (II)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Judges 13:8-14

Psalm 127-128

 

“If a man therefore purge

himself from these…”

 

SAMSON (II)
 
The second appearance of the angel to Manoah and his wife was occasioned by Manoah’s request upon hearing his wife’s message of the angel’s first visit. This second visit came with specific instructions on parental responsibilities that many a time are not fully comprehended by would-be parents.
 
“…teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born” (Judg 13:8). This request highlights the greatness of parental duties and care. It presents parents as God’s stewards moulding their children after God’s will and purposes. As such, parents must know God’s will and Word so as to know what to do concerning the children God has blessed them with. God’s response to this request further shows that it is His will that parents should know how to raise their children because He honoured Manoah’s request with an appearance and with a response of instructions on their duty as God’s stewards in raising up the man God would use to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Philistines.
 
“…Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware” (Judg 13:13). The angel did not say any new thing, but reiterated what was already known. Whether it is out of unbelief or doubt that Manoah sought for confirmation, or for whatever other reasons that Manoah was not satisfied with the explanation and words of his wife, it is clear that God’s will and word is immutable. We should not think that there will be any new revelation needed in order to be good parents, or that we could be exempted from any responsibility revealed in God’s Word. Our responsibilities, as read from God’s Word and proclaimed to us by God’s faithful servants, are what God wants us to heed and beware. The parents’ holiness and purity forms part of the child’s holiness and separation. We ought to be careful how we live and what testimony and example we set for our children to follow. We must keep ourselves holy for the Lord’s use, and as an example to our children.
 
THOUGHT: “Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me, a clean vessel in Thy hand.”

PRAYER: For Thy use, cleanse me by Thy Word, and fill me by Thy Spirit.

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