Judges:13

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* Verse 1-7 - Israel did evil : then God delivered them again into the hands of the Philistines . When Israel was in this distress , Samson was born . His parents had been long childless . Many eminent persons were born of such mothers . Mercies long waited for , often prove signal mercies ; and by them others may be encouraged to continue their hope in God 's mercy . The angel notices her affliction . God often sends comfort to his people very seasonably , when they feel their troubles most . This deliverer of Israel must be devoted to God . Manoah 's wife was satisfied that the messenger was of God . She gave her husband a particular account , both of the promise and of the precept . Husbands and wives should tell each other their experiences of communion with God , and their improvements in acquaintance with him , that they may help each other in the way that is holy . * Verse 8-14 - Blessed are those who have not seen , and yet , as Manoah , have believed . Good men are more careful and desirous to know the duty to be done by them , than to know the events concerning them : duty is ours , events are God 's . God will guide those by his counsel , who desire to know their duty , and apply to him to teach them . Pious parents , especially , will beg Divine assistance . The angel repeats the directions he had before given . There is need of much care for the right ordering both of ourselves and our children , that we may be duly separate from the world , and living sacrifices to the Lord . * Verse 15-23 - What Manoah asked for instruction in his duty , he was readily told ; but what he asked to gratify his curiosity , was denied . God has in his word given full directions concerning our duty , but never designed to answer other questionings . There are secret things which belong not to us , of which we must be quite contented to be ignorant , while in this world . The name of our Lord is wonderful and secret ; but by his wonderful works he makes himself known as far as is needful for us . Prayer is the ascent of the soul to God . But without Christ in the heart by faith , our services are offensive smoke ; in him , acceptable flame . We may apply this to Christ 's sacrifice of himself for us ; he ascended in the flame of his own offering , for by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place , Hebrews strkjv @9:12 . In Manoah 's reflections there is great fear ; We shall surely die . In his wife 's reflection there is great faith . As a help meet for him , she encouraged him . Let believers who have had communion with God in the word and prayer , to whom he has graciously manifested himself , and who have had reason to think God has accepted their works , take encouragement from thence in a cloudy and dark day . God would not have done what he has done for my soul , if he had designed to forsake me , and leave me to perish at last ; for his work is perfect . Learn to reason as Manoah 's wife ; If God designed me to perish under his wrath , he would not give me tokens of his favour . mhcc @Judges:13:24 ,25 @ Verse 24 ,25 - The Spirit of the Lord began to move Samson when a youth . This was evidence that the Lord blessed him . Where God gives his blessing , he gives his Spirit to qualify for the blessing . Those are blessed indeed in whom the Spirit of grace begins to work in the days of their childhood . Samson drank no wine or strong drink , yet excelled in strength and courage , for he had the Spirit of God moving him ; therefore be not drunk with wine , but be filled with the Spirit . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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