The mother who had to follow all rules

(By Ruta Miller)

We find this mother’s story in Judges 13 & 14. She joins the league of the women who were once barren, then delivered sons who became mighty in the Bible like Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Samuel, John the Baptist. 

One day this woman is visited by an angel of the Lord and he tells her, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son” (Judges 13:3). And he also gives her a list of instructions that she is supposed to follow. 

What was different about her that caught God’s attention? 

To me, she comes across as a woman of stature, wisdom and understanding. When the Angel of the Lord appears to her, she receives the word and trusts the source. She perceives that the visitation wasn’t normal but divine and hence doesn’t question the messenger. 

On the other hand, we see a difference in her husband Manoah’s approach. (Judges 13:17-18). When she tells him that she is going to conceive, he prays for a second visitation as a confirmation and also enquires for the messenger’s name.

She was spiritually more sensitive than her husband. She teaches us to “grow our spiritual senses”. And here is the ironic part, when Manoah begs God for a re-appearance, the Bible says, God hears him. But He appears to the wife again who was out in the field!! (Judges 13:9).

The Prophesy bearer 

No one apart from her knew what her son’s call and purpose was. (Judges 13:4)

Manoah asks: How to bring up this boy, the rule to his life and what’s his mission. (Judges 13:8,12) 

The answer: The mother has to follow all the rules.  (Judges 13:13)

We always see how Samson was set apart from his birth but so was the case with his mother since the time she conceived.

He was to be the deliverer, while she the prophecy bearer.

I believe whenever she saw Samson wavering from his calling, she would be reminded the rule to his life was for her to be consecrated to the Lord.

Wow, this unsung woman is such a beautiful example for mothers like me. As a mother when I see my son throwing tantrums or acting stubborn, I get disappointed. There are times when I talk to him and tell him that he isn’t supposed to behave like this and that he is a “Jesus baby”, set apart. But Samson’s mother reminds me: My son hasn’t heard his prophecies, but I have, and that there is a spiritual battle going on for his destiny. There is a role I have to play, be set apart, intercede, pray, and bring him up in the light of the Lord!

Life Application

1. God is no respecter of persons. When you become sensitive to Him, He reveals Himself more to you.

2. Your prayer is the best gift you can give to your children.