Before Samson was born, the Israelites had done evil the sight of the Lord again and were handed over to the Philistines for 40 years. A man by the name of Manoah from the tribe of Dan lived in the town of Zorah. He and his wife didn't have children because his wife wasn't able to get pregnant. The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah's wife and told her that even though she had been unable to have children, she would soon get pregnant and give birth to a son. She wasn't to drink wine or any other alcoholic drink or eat any forbidden food. His hair was never to be cut for he was to be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will rescue Israel from the Philistines. Judges 13:1-5
After Joshua had died, the Israelites had completely forgotten the covenant they made to only serve God and started serving the false gods of their neighbors. This led to them becoming oppressed by those neighbors.
A lot of people don't understand that they can become a slave to the false gods they worship. Therefore, there are certain things you should never touch or associate yourself with.
Every time the Israelites got themselves in trouble, a judge would rise and fight for their freedom. When the judge was alive, the Israelites served God. But once he died, they turned their backs on God and started worshipping the idols again. Proof that a person must have a relationship with God themselves. We can't base everything on someone else because they're not always going to be there to carry us.
The laws of the Nazirite are also found in Numbers 6:1-21
. After the angel said these things, the woman ran and told her husband what she had been told. Manoah then asked the Lord to let the man of God come back to them again to give them more instructions about the son who was to be born. Judges 13:6-7
Manoah was very smart to ask God about what he learned. Sadly, not every spirit that appears to people is from God which is why you must test it. Don't be quick to believe every prophecy. Make sure it's truly from God. 1 John 4:1, 2 Corinthians 11:14.
God answered Manoah's prayer and the angel of God appeared to the wife again. This time, Manoah saw him and was able to ask the questions he needed answers for. The angel said, "Be sure your wife follows the instructions I gave her. She must not eat grapes or raisins, drink wine or any other alcoholic drink, or eat any forbidden food." Judges 13:9-14
Manoah asked the angel of the Lord to stay so they can prepare a young goat for them to eat. The angel agreed to stay but wasn't going to eat. The angel said Manoah could prepare a burnt offering as a sacrifice to the Lord. Even in all this, Manoah didn't realize this was an angel. Judges 13:15-16
Sometimes we don't know that we're entertaining angels so make sure you are kind to all strangers because you never know. Hebrews 13:2
Manoah then asked the angel of the Lord for his name because he wanted to honor him when everything came to pass. The angel asked why he was asked for his name because it was too wonderful for him to understand. Judges 13:17-18 Under no circumstance are we to EVER honor an angel or any created being. We are to honor only God the Creator.
