After Jephthah-- then what? Samson? Judges 13

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
  Remember yesterday, when Jephthah's rash vow caused him grief as he made a covenant with God that who ever came first out of his house would be sacrificed.  It was his daughter.  Think before you speak or react!!
  Jephthah judged Israel for 6 years.  Then he was followed by 3 more judges - Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon - who were all wealthy.  So, what comes next.  The man of the hour is SAMSON!
   The rest of this week let us learn about Samson.  A man of God?  Well, sometimes!  Huh?  That is not what we learn in Sunday School.  Okay, then, let's look.
   There was a man and woman from the tribe of Dan living in Zorah and had no children.  The Bible tells us there names are "Manoah" and "his wife".  They were Israelites, living in oppression by the Philistines, who ruled this land, Israel, for 40 years.  Well, an angel of God appeared to "his wife" and spoke telling her, "Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive and bear a son.  Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink and eat not any unclean thing:  For, Lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."
   His wife shared this news with Manoah, who asked the Lord to let the man come again and teach them what they should do with the child that was to be born.
    The angel returned to his wife in the field, she ran and returned with Manoah who asked, "How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?
    The angel said what he told the woman they would do, Manoah asked him to stay while they prepared a kid or goat.  The angel said he would stay, but would not partake of the food, but they could offer it as a burnt offering to God.  The angel remained, all the time Manoah thinking this was just a man, not necessarily an angel.
   Manoah asked the angel his name and the angel replied, "Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" Well, secret is not the angel's name, however, it does express the character of His (God) name and shows the special aspect of His nature.  Name is not important, but knowing this angel belongs to God who is absolute and supremely wonderful is important.
  So, now you are getting an idea of where Samson comes from.  See if you can find the particulars laid out for Samson in what the angel said.  So, tomorrow, we will see how Manoah realized this "man" was actually an angel from God.  Love you all.
   Give someone a hug today, tell them you love them and God loves them.  OR, at least share a smile!!!!:)
In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny