"Please stay here," Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, "and we will prepare a young goat for you." “Please stay here,”Manoah responds with the customary generosity of a host toward an honored visitor. Like Abraham in Genesis 18 and Gideon in Judges 6, he seeks to provide a meal before receiving further instruction. His request reveals reverence for the man of God, though he does not yet understand that the visitor is the angel of the LORD. Gen 22:5 “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told his servants… Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, The angel of the LORD comes with divine authority to announce Samson’s birth and the beginning of Israel’s deliverance from the Philistines. Manoah’s later fear after the angel ascends in the altar’s flame shows that this messenger was more than an ordinary prophet. The encounter displays God’s personal care for an oppressed Israel and for the faithful couple chosen to raise a Nazirite deliverer. Jdg 6:12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said,… “and we will prepare a young goat for you.” A young goat provided a fitting meal for a distinguished guest and recalls Gideon’s offering to the angel of the LORD. The angel directs Manoah instead to offer a burnt offering to the LORD, turning human hospitality into worship. Manoah’s desire to honor the visitor becomes an occasion for God to reveal His holiness and confirm His purpose for Samson. Jdg 6:19 So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat… Persons / Places / Events 1. ManoahA man from the tribe of Dan, the father of Samson. He is characterized by his desire to understand God's will and his hospitality. 2. The Angel of the LORD A divine messenger who appears to Manoah and his wife, announcing the birth of Samson. This figure is often seen as a theophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. 3. The Offering Manoah's request to prepare a young goat signifies an act of hospitality and reverence, reflecting the cultural and religious practices of the time. 4. Zorah The town in the territory of Dan where Manoah and his family lived, setting the stage for the events leading to Samson's birth. 5. Samson's Birth Announcement The broader context of this verse is the announcement of Samson's birth, a significant event in Israel's history as Samson would become a judge and deliverer of Israel. Teaching Points Hospitality as WorshipManoah's offer to prepare a meal for the Angel of the LORD reflects the importance of hospitality as an act of worship and reverence towards God. Seeking Understanding Manoah's interaction with the Angel shows a desire to understand God's will, encouraging believers to seek divine guidance in their lives. Recognizing Divine Presence The encounter challenges us to be aware of God's presence in our daily lives, often in unexpected ways. Faith in God's Promises Manoah's response to the angelic message demonstrates faith in God's promises, a model for trusting God's plans for our lives. The Role of Sacrifice The preparation of a young goat symbolizes the importance of sacrifice in worship, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Manoah's response to the Angel of the LORD reflect the cultural and religious practices of his time, and what can we learn from this about our own expressions of faith?2. In what ways does the account of Manoah and the Angel of the LORD encourage us to be more aware of God's presence in our daily lives? 3. How can Manoah's desire to understand God's will inspire us to seek divine guidance in our own decision-making processes? 4. What parallels can we draw between Manoah's encounter with the Angel and other biblical accounts of divine visitation, and how do these accounts deepen our understanding of God's interaction with humanity? 5. How does the theme of hospitality in this passage connect with New Testament teachings, and how can we apply this principle in our interactions with others today? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 18Similar to Manoah's encounter, Abraham also shows hospitality to divine visitors, highlighting a consistent biblical theme of welcoming God's messengers. Hebrews 13:2 This verse encourages believers to show hospitality, as some have entertained angels without knowing it, echoing Manoah's experience. Luke 1 The announcement of John the Baptist's birth to Zechariah parallels the angelic announcement to Manoah, emphasizing God's intervention in miraculous births. People Dan, Danites, Manoah, SamsonPlaces Eshtaol, Mahaneh-dan, Pirathon, ZorahTopics Angel, Detain, Goat, Goats, Kid, Manoah, Mano'ah, Messenger, Please, Prepare, Ready, StayDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 13:15 4651 goat 1511 Trinity, relationships in Library The Wonderful. Isaiah ix:6. HIS name shall be called "Wonderful" (Isaiah ix:6). And long before Isaiah had uttered this divine prediction the angel of the Lord had announced his name to be Wonderful. As such He appeared to Manoah. And Manoah said unto the angel of Jehovah, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honor. And the angel of Jehovah said unto Him "why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is Wonderful" (margin, Judges xiii:17-18). This angel of Jehovah, the Person who … Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory Of the Name of God Gen. xxxi. 11 Characters and Names of Messiah Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel The Incarnation. A Cloud of Witnesses. The Doctrine of God A Treatise of the Fear of God; Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his Adherents, in this Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls. Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist. Judges Links Judges 13:15 NIVJudges 13:15 NLT Judges 13:15 ESV Judges 13:15 NASB Judges 13:15 KJV Judges 13:15 Commentaries Bible Hub |
    |