“Then one day the Angel of the Lord appeared to the wife of Manoah…” (Judges 13:2).
We have heard sermons about Samson. We have movies about Samson and Delilah. But I don’t recall ever hearing anyone teach or speak about Samson’s mother. The Bible doesn’t even mention her name — only that she was Manoah’s wife and Samson was her first child.
Samson! The son who would be a special servant of the Lord, who would be extremely strong and be Israel’s leader for 20 years and begin to rescue them from the Philistines.
God knew Samson’s mother. “The Angel of the Lord appeared to the wife of Manoah…” two times. He didn’t appear to her husband first, but to her. He told her that although she was barren, she would conceive and give birth to a son. She told her husband later. He never doubted her story.
She received instructions from the Angel regarding abstaining from certain foods and drink and was told that Samson’s hair should never be cut.
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The Angel wouldn’t reveal his name. After his second visit, he ascended to heaven (in the offering fire), and they never saw him again.
She wasn’t a mother people remember, never a celebrity. But God knew her and entrusted to her the task of giving birth to and raising an extraordinary leader. Her husband believed and trusted her. She knew God. God knew her and trusted her.
Father, thank You for the millions of mothers who are never in the limelight, but raise their children the way You instruct them to, the mothers who love You and are faithful and true. You know them. You will reward them. Amen.
Questions
1. Tell us about a mother who doesn’t get recognition, but knows God, is trustworthy and true, and isn’t miffed by a lack of recognition.
2. What kind of mother are you?
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Good Monday morning!
This week in our series on relationships, we’re turning our attention toward mothers … because you know, Mother’s Day is coming up this weekend, Sunday, May 14.
Part of me balks at the holiday as a capitalist concoction: a day to sell trinkets, flowers and spa treatments. But my heart says, “Yes! We must regularly take time to thank and celebrate the nurturers of life, the servant leaders of families and communities.”
My own mother is such a giver that she gave me, when I was a young girl, gifts on Mother’s Day! She’s cut from the same cloth as Samson’s mother. (Love you, Mom!)
If you’re looking for some Mother’s Day ideas (or want to forward someone a subtle hint) :) check out this article on our men’s site, http://www.MenTodayOnline.com: http://www.mentodayonline.com/family/mothersday.html
I am the mother of a child in heaven. Two years ago around Mother’s day I found out I was pregnant. My husband and I were excited, but that excitement would turn to grief within a month. After some cramping over Memorial day weekend, we discovered our child was not developing and I would soon miscarriage.
Now two years later, we have not gotten pregnant since. Mother’s day is not easy for every woman. Yet my faith has been strengthened through this trial, and some days all I have to cling to is the hope that God might remove the pain of barrenness some day. I do hope that one Mother’s day I too will be recognized as a mom even though my child was born directly into Jesus’ arms.
This is an especially hard day for my Mother, my brother went to be with Jesus on Mothers day two years ago. Even though it does not fall on the same day every year she will always associate it with my borthers death,but she also says God has given her the peace of knowing he is with him in Heaven.She also tells of the 7 children she has left on this earth and gives so much love to us and the faith that she has in God is remarkable. I have been witness to many of her prayers answered,I can only hope and pray that i will always be the Mother that she is to my own children.She has been a wonderful role model for me and my sister’s as we strive to do God’s will in our own life.
We must also remember that there are some men out there who are both Father and Mother to their own children.
MAY GOD BLESS and KEEP YOU ALL IN HIS LOVING GRACE
Dear Marty,what an absolutely beautiful — and perfectly accurate I might add, way to visualize your loss. Well, IMMHO anyway. We have some similar circumstances in our family. Thank you for sharing your mental plcture of your loss. Of course you’ve also touched on what’s lacking in this electronic community … it’s the lack of ability to physically TOUCH. If I could I would reach out and hug you very tightly.
It’s amazing to me how each devotional touches each of us. And how different that touch is. My four year old grandson has suddenly decided he doesn’t like to have his hair cut. I smiled when I read this devotional and thought of my daughter who is presently dealing with a very strong(willed) little Samson. Have a great Monday everyone.
I enjoyed today’s study. I too have never heard a sermon or lesson on Samson’s mother.
I know so many wonderful faith filled mothers. I know of one who is a spiritual mother to me also. She has had so many obstacles in her life and is still a winner with a positive attitude.
A Godly mother is the heart of the home. I have seen homes where the father is not a spiritual leader at all, in fact, at times not even a good father. But those children survived and became good Christian adults.
Praise the Lord for Godly mothers.
The Lord is perfect in His timing! This very morning my heartfelt prayer was for the Lord to give me patience, while I struggle to be the godly women, mother and wife that He wants me to be. I struggle because, although I’m married to a wonderful man, he does not share my christian values. It’s hard to instill christian values to my children when I don’t have my husband’s support. Yet today’s devotional cleary speaks to me and gives me hope. Although it is a difficult and sometimes frustrating journey, it will all be worth it, for the Lord will bless my perseverance, as long as I continue to seek Him and abide in His will.
What an inspiring and timely devotion! I especially appreciate the blog entries – it’s inspiring to see how other women/mothers are struggling and overcoming through the Lord. Praise God from whom all blessings flow….
the timing of this devotional is perfect. i personally have been stuggling with my role of being a good mother to my girls, and being a good daughter to my own mom. this is a reminder that i needed today.
i pray Father that today, every moment of today, You remind me of what it means to be a godly woman. In Jesus name, Amen.
i love it.