Dedicated to God

Introduction

We live in a fantastic world. The possibilities are abundant. Wealth abounds. Being middle class means that our children will have a lot of choices. Since the beginning of this century, choices for each generation has increased. Children born 10 years ago have more possibilities than those born 30 years ago. Children born today have more than children born just a decade ago. This is not boastful but a statement of reality. We can honestly say to our children “you can be whatever you want to be.” With determination and hard work, our children can now achieve great things in this world. It really is an exciting time to live.

For Christian parents and grandparents, with all these possibilities there is still one truth—we want our children and grandchildren to grow up knowing God as their Savior. There is nothing more important than making sure our offspring see our faith and are exposed to the faith of others. Judges 13 is the beginning of several chapters related to the life of Samson. Samson is probably the best known judge among all the judges in this book. He is known for his strength, his cunning, and his tendency to flirt with evil. But what we see in chapter 13 is not about Samson as much as it is about his parents. This godly man and woman are granted the privilege to bring this child into the world. But with that privilege come tremendous responsibilities. Let’s notice today their dedication and determination in following God and making sure their child knows God.

The Story

This is the seventh cycle of apostasy in the book. This time the Philistines is the enemy. Israel left God and as a consequence, God allows the Philistines to oppress them for forty years. The angel of God appears to a godly couple. Manoah and his wife had not been able to have children. She had been unable to conceive. The angel of God appears to her and tells her that God will give her a child. This will be a special child. From conception, this child will be a Nazarite. To ensure that his vow begins with conception, the mother is to avoid alcohol. She is not to eat anything which is unclean. And from birth, this child is not to ever have his hair cut.

She goes and tells her husband what has happened and Manoah prays that God will allow him to speak to this messenger. Manoah is not sure that it was an angel, he just wants to have the same experience as his wife. God answers his prayer and sends his angel again to speak with Manoah. Verse 16 tells us that Manoah did not realize this was an angel. Manoah wants to prepare food for his guest. But the guest instead instructs Manoah to offer a sacrifice. While the sacrifice is burning the angel ascended into heaven via the flame. Manoah fears for his life, but his wife comforts him. Samson is born.

Lessons

This story is straightforward. There are no twists and turns. This story is here to show us the beginning of Samson’s life and it is here to show us the dedication of parents to raise their child according to God’s instructions. But there are some valuable lessons in this story. Lessons which should encourage us in raising children and lessons about remaining focused on our surroundings.

In 13:1, God delivers the Israelites into the hands of the Philistines. But this cycle is a bit different. There is no crying out to the Lord for relief. In fact, in 15:11 there is an acceptance of this position so that Samson is seen as causing trouble for Israel when he confronts the Philistines. Why does Israel not cry out to God for relief? Unlike other enemies, the Philistines did not try to militarily invade Israel. Instead they occupied five major cities and were content to allow intermarriage and trade to do their work for them. In time, they would take over the entire land through these two means. Israel saw no real threat from their neighbors to the West. Instead, they allowed their children to intermarry and did business with them. In 14:1, Samson’s godly parents try to discourage his marriage to a Philistine woman. But this is not what others are doing.

Here is the first lesson. We live in this world, but we must not let the world live in us. This is exactly what Jesus said in John 17 as he prayed that his disciples would not be taken out of the world but would be protected from the world. It is too easy to allow this world to become a part of our lives. This is not an endorsement of the Amish way of life. This is not to say that we must give up all luxuries of this life to make the clear distinction between us and this world. But it is to say that the attitudes and values of this world must be shunned. As Paul says in Romans 12 it is the transformation of the mind that we are aiming for. What happened with Israel can happen to us. Israel became apathetic about their enemy. There was no real war, so they didn’t oppose their enemy passionately. We fit into this world. We have good jobs, good resources, lots of luxuries. It is hard to be passionate about the world’s values when there is not a real war going on.

But slowly our godly values are being tested. The question is will we have enough passion to fight when the war breaks out? Or will we have been so used to not standing our ground that we will not notice when the evil one is upon us. Will we become like Israel who blamed Samson for causing them trouble when he took a stand against evil?

There is a real battle going on and it is between God and Satan. We who have given our lives to God are being called on to stand against the values of this world. That is not easy. It isn’t always easy to see the difference, but I find it rather inspiring. Let’s approach our Christian walk with same passion as we do our attempts at financial success. Let’s be discerning about the values of the world which call to us. Let’s not become apathetic about our relationship with God.

Here is the second lesson. Let’s make sure our children know their purpose for being in this world. We bring our children into this world and we want them to do well. We want them to succeed (whatever that may mean). We believe that what is best for them is to learn how to get along in this world. Let me be specific—the only thing that really matters is that our children come to know God as Savior.

Like you I want my children to do well in this world. I want them to marry godly people. I don’t think I am any different from what you desire for your children. But let’s be blunt. If our children are successful financially and don’t love God, they have little to offer to this world. Are we helping our children to see that nothing—absolutely nothing—is more important than being God’s child?

Are we telling our daughters to marry only men who love God? Are we telling our sons that they are going to be God’s leaders in his church? Are we getting our sons ready to be elders, deacons, ministers and Bible school teachers? Are we getting our daughters ready to teach and lead their own children and to marry men who will preach, teach, be elders and deacons?

There are things that are more important than living in a big house and driving nice cars. There are things that are more important than being able to take vacations and go to restaurants. While there is nothing wrong with these things, let’s make sure that our children know that we are here on this earth for something more than what we can take out of it. Let’s make sure that our children know why they are in this world—and that is to bring glory to God. Let’s give to our children what is really important.

The dedication of Manoah and his wife cannot be underestimated. From the time of conception they knew their child was special. I held both of my children soon after birth. Cried both times. Our children are special because God has called each one to be his servant. As parents there is nothing better to give to our children than a sense of purpose in this world.

If our children see a passion in our lives, then we can help inspire them to develop the same passion in their own lives. But that may be the problem. Maybe our passion is for this world rather than for God. It is so easy to go through the motions without thinking about God. Where is your passion? What are you teaching your children? We have a purpose in this world—to come to know God and to make sure others know about him too. Do you know him?

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