A Warriors Parents

The Samson Wars, Part 1

I. Great

• Judges 13:2, Manoah has the root “Noah” which means “comfort” or “rest” or “resting place.” What we should want a home to be, a place free from anger, abuse and fear.
• Gives give’s life. (Judges 13:3-4) Notice that the mother was to behave like a Nazirite so as not to defile the baby. Because the baby in her womb was already alive.
• God has plans for my kids. (Judges 13:5-7) We have plans for our kids. Dreams and hopes. God has a plan for our kids.
• God is patient with our slowness. (Judges 13:8-14) Notice how slow Manoah is to catch on that the Lord actually spoke to his wife. He’s a little offended that God did not come to him; but to his wife.
• Judges 13:11 is funny. The man goes trailing after his wife, because once again the Lord has appeared to her and not him!
• God is simply wonderful. (Judges 13:15-25) The Angel of the Lord is the pre-incarnate Son of God. One of the names given him is “wonderful.” (Isa. 9:6)
• Judges 13:24 is beautiful: This woman who had been sterile now bears a son. It’s the second miracle in the text. First the angel goes up in the smoke, now the barren woman has a son.

II. Great

I think great parents are loud about some things.

1. Loud

2. Loud about the

• I want my kids to know that walking with the Lord is a special thing.
• Notice how happy Manoah is just to be serving the Lord. (ILLU: TV Guide, 1955)

TV Guide, November 19, 1955: “Woman shocks Emcee, Spurns try for $5,000.” The article described a contestant who was a farmers wife, with 6 children. Her husband earns $2,200 a year.

“The new TV programming trend toward jacking up th jackpots recived a jolt the other day that probably rocked the gray flannel-clad men in the Nations net work and agency office. Their faith in the lure of easy money was shattered by a woman constant on CBS’ Name That Tune.”

August Jueneman already won $2,500.

Invited back to double that to $5,000

“Oh, no” was the historic reply, “I have to sing in my church choir.”

While disbelief spread through the living rooms from coast to coast, DeWitt stared open mouthed at Mrs. Jueneman.

Mrs. Jueneman had a precious date in connection with a mission at the Sacred Heart Church in Selden Kansas.  After the show, producer asked if her oldest daughter could substitute. “Oh no, she plays the organ.” Husband? “He leads the choir.”

They got comedian to win her the money on her behalf. I like how this woman didn’t resent her church, but counted it a greater privilege to sing for missions than to be on a TV game show.

3. Loud about (Judges 13:8-9)

• Manoah prayed that the Lord would come back and give him clear instructions how to raise the boy.
• Samson would be a tough kid to raise.

III. Great

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Prov. 22:6 The worst moment of Samson’s life, know what he did? He turned to prayer. Who taught him to pray? Not Delilah! His parents did.