“So the Angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “Of all that I said to the woman let her be careful. She may not eat anything that comes from the vine, nor may she drink wine or similar drink, nor eat anything unclean. All that I commanded her let her observe.”… So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him. And the Spirit of the Lord began to move upon him…”
Judges 13:13-14, 24-25 NKJV
As I was meditating on the story of Sampson this morning, the Lord spoke something simple, yet profound, to my heart: “Sampson’s strength was found in obedience – first his mother’s, then his own.”
The scriptures don’t tell us her name – she’s referred to only as Manoah’s wife. The Angel of the Lord came to her and gave her 3 specific commands: don’t eat anything unclean, don’t drink any wine, and don’t cut your son’s hair/take a razor to his head. She asked the Angel to return and He did so, repeating the instructions again to her and her husband.
Her obedience was key to Sampson walking in his calling and having the strength of the Lord upon him. Had she disobeyed – had she drank wine or anything similar, had she eaten anything unclean, or had she trimmed his hair – his great feats wouldn’t be recorded in the Bible. Her obedience mattered and later, Sampson’s obedience mattered.
It is a humbling thought and sobering reality that my obedience as a mom will impact the calling of G-d on Randal and Alathia. G-d has spoken many things to me over the years regarding things I am to do and regarding my children, and I honestly don’t know if I’ve walked in complete obedience to each one.
The passage above is proceeded by an honest prayer:
“Then Manoah prayed to the Lord, and said, “O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born.”
Judges 13:8 NKJV
Like Manoah did in verse 8, I’ve cried out to G-d and asked Him to teach me what to do in parenting my two arrows. I find it interesting that both times the Angel appeared he appeared to Manoah’s wife – and both times she submitted G-d’s word to her husband.
Just as both Sampson’s father and mother bore the responsibility to walk in obedience regarding the call of G-d on their son, so we as parents bear the responsibility to walk in obedience. Like Manoah, we want to know the depth of the calling and what they will do – and He simply answers, just obey what I’ve told you. Manoah and his wife were only told to obey – so they did.
Likewise, may I be obedient to the things He’s spoken to my heart about Randal and Alathia, may I never stop seeking Him for guidance, and may the Spirit of the Lord be upon them and move in them.
Father, thank You for trusting us with two beautiful arrows. Continue to speak to us about how to guide their hearts to you. Help us to trust You more with their destiny. Give us grace to walk in obedience to Your word and trust You for the outcome. Bless Randal and Alathia with Your presence and move on them. You are good. Your leadership in our family is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Judges 13-15