Samson’s Mother’s Message
One thing that is true about May is that when you move into its second week, everyone’s focus is on Mother’s Day. Not even the graduations and proms can outshine the preparations and celebration of Mother’s Day. In fact, many have said the graduations are gifts to the proud Moms.
So, it is always highly appropriate to pause and reflect on mothers. Being a mom myself and having had a wonderful mother, I think even I can afford to reflect and devote time to a message about mothers. Let us take a look at the mother of Samson.
Heavenly Father, we give thanks for knowing in the beginning that mothers would play a crucial part in our lives. Thank you for helping to mold good mothers. Thank you for inspiring us to recognize our mothers. Even as the world is crazy, Lord, we need this time to pause and think about who our mothers are and who we would like them to be. So, we now pause to thank you for all mothers. Thank you for all who want to nurture, admonish, and love children. Encourage us to be better. May the words of this prayer be turned into positive actions. Hear our prayers to encourage, inspire, and empower others to seek Jesus even as we honor mothers. It is in the name of Jesus that we make this prayer. Amen
Unfortunately, there is not enough time to recount the entire story of Samson. So, at your leisure, you might take some time and read Judges, chapters 13–16. There you will find his story from birth to death. For our purposes, we will look at the time near the end of Samson’s life; he turned against the word… against God’s instructions. What did Samson do? In a moment of weakness, he told the temptress Delilah the secret behind his strength. And what did Delilah do with the info? She told Samson’s enemies, and they cut his hair while he slept, causing him to lose his God-given, driven strength. Why do you think Samson stopped heeding the voice of his mom, who taught him God’s way for his life? This is where we pick up the story.
I ask that we turn to the 13th chapter of Judges and read verses 13:2-7. This chapter is about the woman who would give birth to Samson. It reads:
A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” Then the woman went to her husband and told him, “A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn’t ask him where he came from, and he didn’t tell me his name. But he said to me, ‘You will become pregnant and have a son.” Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite of God from the womb until the day of his death.’”
Who was this mother? She was married to a man named Manoah who was an Israelite. Therefore, Manoah would be the father of Samson. Now, we do not know her name. But is her name important, you might ask yourself? Perhaps not. Not knowing her name may inspire us to consider what she was charged to do and what she actually did. In this way, let’s give credit to her actions and let’s dare to place less weight on her name.
We are not looking at her solely because she is the mother of Samson. Yes, that is who she was, but she was so much more. And it is the more that we often leave out of the motherhood equation.
Scripture tells us that this mother was barren; unable to have children. In those days, it was a badge of honor for a woman to have children. Thus, a barren woman was considered cursed; not blessed by God -- being childless also dishonored the husband. But we are considering the mother. I must emphasize that in ancient Israel, a woman without children faced deep social shame and was stigmatized. Neighbors and relatives often believed and acted upon the superstitions. We might surmise that in many ways our nameless heroine was ignored and marginalized. Nevertheless, even in her barren state, God saw her as a mother. Not only did He see her, but He also had an important task for her.
Now the Israelites had a habit of conveniently but unwisely going against God. In fact, at this point, the Israelites were in bondage to the Philistines and were seeking deliverance. In the midst of those disobedient Israelites, God saw and chose this mother.
Just like Samson’s mother, you too have a God-ordained purpose. So, even if you feel you are left out, ignored, or hidden among the many, God sees you, and he has a plan.
The first thing to remember is that God sees us when man ignores us.
The Angel of the Lord told her she would become pregnant. After delivering this news, the angel explained what God was calling the mother to do. She was to teach her son how to conduct himself. She had to possess enough faith and strength to carry out these instructions. The main non-negotiable instruction? Do not cut his hair. She was to begin instilling this command in her son’s mind, heart, and soul from the very day he was born. I say boldly that she must have succeeded, because as an adult, Samson’s hair was still long, and he remembered and abided by God’s instructions (for a time, at least).
Is this not what we want in our mothers? Do we not want them to have the attention of God? Don’t we want God to seek out our moms? Shouldn’t they hear that word from God and be led to follow the word and lead the children in the path they should go so that the children will grow strong in the Lord and will, in turn, want to do His will?
That’s a tall order for the unnamed, marginalized woman who would give birth to Samson! When you are in those barren times that rear their ugly head, why not try earnestly to listen intently for God’s call, and then follow those divine instructions?
First, know that God sees even when man ignores.
The second thing to consider is how blessed it is to have God call, to hear God’s call, and to follow His word and do His will.
The third thing to understand: how blessed she was to be trusted by God. How do I know she was trusted? She would be the one to go and tell the husband, Manoah. Isn’t that interesting? Don’t miss this subtle but relevant point. God chose to tell this unnamed, barren woman and have her tell the husband.
Did God trust the right woman? Let’s consider this a little. In the second half of Judges 13:6, more of that treasure reveals more about this woman. She says:
“I didn’t ask him where he came from, and he didn’t tell me his name.”
She thought he looked like an Angel of the Lord. Here is this point about the importance of names when God is involved. She did not ask him where he came from or what his name was. Now, how many of us would do that?
This was some important news for this mother to hear. First of all, she’s going to get pregnant. Second, she’s to instruct her son not to cut his hair. Third, her child would be dedicated to the work of the Lord from the womb. Someone she does not know tells her all this, and she asks no questions? I don’t know if that could be me. Could it be you?
Could this possibly be an example of motherhood to follow? This mother-to-be was laser-focused on the message about her child. God knew the character of this heroine. God knew. He trusted. God ordained the son and the mother to carry out His will. There will be tough roads ahead for Samson, but his life was set up before he was conceived. It was not the name of the woman, but the tasks before her that made her worth God’s choice. And it makes her life worth mentioning now. Sounds like a great, inspirational goal to me.
Here’s a little tidbit: If we believe this scripture, then we can now begin to understand that the names didn’t matter – not for the mother or for the angel. What mattered was doing God’s will.
Just as God chose Samson’s mother, he can choose you. Oh, you better believe there is a vital role for us mothers. And God may have just chosen you. God places important responsibilities on us even before our children are conceived, before they are born, and as they grow. Don’t stop keeping God as the light along your spiritual path. Continue to look for – no, begin to seek -- God in all that you do as you lead His children. Judges 13:5 says that this calling was from the womb until the day the babe dies. This word applies today. You are the mother from the day the child is conceived until the day the child dies. The child counts on it and, more importantly, God commands and ordains it.
It’s a blessing. Keep God at the center, and you will forever have something to offer as the child continues on the road. Hear me now: the more steeped you are in the love and direction of God, the better chance your child has of learning and following your example. Mothers, you must stand tall and continue to dedicate your children to God every day.
In a male-dominated ancient world, Manoah’s unnamed wife gave birth to a child whose hair was never to be cut. God entrusted her to carry this message to her husband and depended on her to ensure Samson knew what He wanted and expected. A faithful, trusting, determined, and focused woman would give birth to Samson.
When you feel ignored, do not get weary, because God sees you. From this moment on, know deep in your soul that it is a blessing to have God call you; that it is a blessing that you can hear God’s call; it is a blessing to be inspired to follow His word and do His will. Don’t worry about her name. Heed her character and follow her example. It will lead you to God. It will lead you to Jesus. The one who died on the cross so that you and I might be saved and have a relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Accept Jesus today, follow God every time, and you will not fail. Remember, God sees you!
Can’t this be you, too?
Samson’s mother had a messa
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