In this episode, we journey back to the book of Judges to meet a woman of profound faith, known only as Manoah’s wife, the mother of Samson. Often overshadowed by the dramatic stories of her son, this episode honors her as a true Handmaiden of the LORD, a woman whose life offers a powerful testament to trusting God in the midst of longing and uncertainty.
We explore her story from a woman’s perspective, focusing on her initial barrenness and the deep societal and personal pain that came with it. Her journey begins not with a birth, but with a direct and personal encounter with the Angel of the LORD, who appears to her first with the miraculous promise of a son. This encounter highlights a central theme: God has a plan for each of us.
The episode contrasts her unwavering faith with her husband Manoah’s need for confirmation. While he seeks a name and a visible sign, she simply believes the divine message. Her trust is a powerful model for us today, showing that a deeper walk with God often requires us to let go of our need for intellectual certainty and embrace a posture of relational wonder.
We also dive into her profound wisdom at the moment of the Angel’s ascension. When Manoah fears they will die for seeing God, she calmly and confidently reassures him, saying, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering…nor shown us all these things.” This quote, in its simplicity, reveals her deep understanding of God’s character. She understood God’s nature not through an elusive name, but through His consistent actions of love, provision, and grace.
Ultimately, this episode is about a woman who, though nameless in the text, was profoundly known by God. Her life reminds us that our identity is not defined by our circumstances, our past, or even our name, but by our relationship with the God who calls us His own. Her story is a beacon of hope for every woman seeking a closer walk with the Lord, teaching us to trust in His promises, embrace His mystery, and find our true identity as His beloved handmaidens.
THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
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SCRIPT
Dr. Buck: Welcome back to Handmaiden of the LORD, the Winepress podcast is dedicated to helping Christian women walk in a deeper relationship with God. I’m Doctor Mary Buck, your Christian life coach, and today, we’re looking at a familiar story through a fresh lens – the account of Manoah and his wife in Judges chapter 13, the parents of Samson. But instead of focusing solely on Manoah, we’re going to walk in the sandals of his wife, a woman of profound faith often overshadowed in the narrative. And as always, I’m joined by my digital assistant, Abby, who has some thought-provoking questions to begin our discussion.
Abby: Thank you doctor Buck for that introduction. Thinking about Manoah’s wife, we first encounter her when the Angel of the Lord appears to her with the incredible promise of a son. doctor Buck, what do you think her initial reaction might have been, given her previous struggle with barrenness, and what does her immediate belief in the messenger tell us about her heart towards God?
Dr. Buck: That’s a beautiful starting point for us, Abby. Imagine her years of longing, perhaps even quiet despair, in a culture where a woman’s worth was so often tied to her ability to bear children. Then, suddenly, this divine messenger appears to her, not her husband, with news that directly addresses her deepest pain. Her immediate belief, before any proof or confirmation, speaks volumes. It suggests a heart open to God’s intervention, a deep-seated faith that recognizes truth even in the unexpected. It echoes Mary’s response in Luke 1:38, “Let it be to me according to your word.” Both women, facing extraordinary circumstances, responded with faith and submission.
Abby: What a powerful parallel. Later in the story, Manoah, upon hearing his wife’s account, prays for the Angel to reappear to him. Doctor Buck, why do you think there was this difference in their initial responses? And what can we learn from Manoah’s need for personal confirmation versus his wife’s initial trust?
Dr. Buck: That’s such a key point, Abby. Manoah’s response, while understandable from a human perspective, highlights a contrast in their ways of relating to God. His prayer for a repeat encounter could stem from a desire for intellectual certainty, a need to verify through his own experience. His wife, on the other hand, seemed to operate more from a place of relational trust. She encountered the divine and believed. For us as Christian women, this can be a powerful reminder that God often speaks to us in unique and personal ways. We don’t always need the same validation as others; our individual encounters with God are valid and real. It speaks to the intimacy God desires with each of us, as we see in Isaiah 43:1, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” He meets us where we are.
Abby: That leads to another interesting moment. When the Angel finally appears to Manoah and refuses to reveal his name, calling it “secret” or “wonderful” (Judges 13:18), Manoah then fears for their lives after witnessing the Angel ascend in the flame. However, his wife offers a profound insight, saying, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, or shown us all these things” (Judges 13:23). Doctor Buck, what does her reasoning reveal about her understanding of God’s character, especially compared to Manoah’s fear?
Dr. Buck: Her wisdom in that moment is truly remarkable, Abby. While Manoah is focused on the potential danger of encountering the divine, his wife understands God’s heart through His actions. He accepted their offering; He revealed these miraculous things to them. Why would a God intending harm do that? Her response beautifully illustrates the concept of “awe” when we recognize how wonderful God is — beyond what we can ask or think. She wasn’t trying to conquer God intellectually; she was experiencing His character through His interaction with them. She trusted in His goodness and His promises. For us, this is a powerful lesson in discerning God’s will. We don’t always need to understand everything about Him; we can trust His loving character, revealed through His Word and His actions in our lives.
Abby: That’s a beautiful way to put it, doctor Buck. So, as we reflect on the story of Manoah’s wife, and mother-to-be, what is the key takeaway for our listeners today, those Christian women seeking a deeper walk with God?
Dr. Buck: Samson’s mother teaches us so much, Abby. She shows us the power of immediate faith, the validity of our personal encounters with God, and the importance of discerning His heart through His love and provision rather than solely through intellectual understanding. Like her, we are called to be handmaidens of the LORD, trusting in His promises and finding our strength not in knowing all the answers, but in knowing the One who holds all things. Her story reminds us that even in the midst of our longings and uncertainties, God sees us, speaks to us, and desires a deep and personal relationship with each of us.
Abby: Doctor Buck, it looks like we’ve come to the close of this session. Would you like to lead our listeners in prayer and we’ll pick up again at our next podcast?
Dr. Buck: Thank you, Abby, for keeping us on track and, yes, before we close, let’s go before the throne of grace in prayer.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the story of Manoah’s wife, Samson’s mother. Please forgive us of the times we’ve relied on mere human knowledge and forgotten how to stand in awe before your great and mighty presence. Give us a heart open to your intervention, a deep-seated faith that recognizes truth even in the unexpected. Help us to truly echo Mary’s response in Luke 1:38, “Let it be to me according to your word.” Help us to accept by faith your love and grace as we face extraordinary circumstances, in these end days, teach us to respond to Your Will with faith and submission. In Jesus name, we pray.
My friend, If you are listening today and have never invited Jesus Christ into your heart, I want to invite you to do so right now. To simply open your heart, ask Him to come in, to forgive your sins, and to be your Lord and Savior. It is the most transformative decision you will ever make, and I promise you, you will not regret it. Just a simple prayer of invitation from your heart is all it takes.
Thank you for joining us today on Handmaiden of the LORD. And remember, as God gets bigger in your life, you get stronger.
Journal Prompts and Activity
Journal Prompts: A Heart of Open Faith
Based on the story of Samson’s mother in Judges 13, reflect on the following questions throughout the week. Take your time with each one, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and heart.
Encounter in a Place of Longing: The Angel of the LORD appeared to Samson’s mother first, addressing her private sorrow of barrenness.
- In your own life, what is a deep-seated longing or private pain that you need to surrender to God, trusting that He sees and knows you?
- How can you cultivate a heart that is so open to God’s intervention that you believe His truth even when it comes in an unexpected way?
Relational Trust and God’s True Nature
Samson’s mother believed the divine message immediately, while her husband, Manoah, sought confirmation. Her trust was rooted in God’s character, not just the miraculous event. This prompt is about how to cultivate that same kind of trust.
- Read and meditate on a few verses that reveal God’s true nature, such as Isaiah 43:1 (“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”) or 2 Corinthians 12:9 (“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”).
- How do the truths in these verses—about His redemptive love and sufficient grace—build your trust in His promises, even when they seem unbelievable?
- What is the difference between knowing these truths from a purely intellectual stance versus allowing them to deepen your relational trust with God?
Discerning God’s Heart Through His Actions: When Manoah feared death after seeing the Angel, his wife used God’s loving actions (accepting their offering and showing them things) as proof of His good intentions.
- What are some of God’s consistent actions of love, provision, and grace in your life? List three things He has done for you that reveal His good and loving character.
- How can you, in times of fear or uncertainty, focus on God’s consistent character rather than on your own fears or desire to understand everything about Him?
Activity: Practicing a Posture of Awe
Throughout this week, find a quiet moment each day to simply be in God’s presence without any agenda. You don’t need to ask for anything or try to understand a specific thing. Just sit and be still, allowing yourself to feel His nearness. As you do, silently think about the verses, “God, you are a God who works wonders.” (Psalm 77:14), and, “I trust in Your goodness.” (Psalm 52:8)
This simple act of being present and speaking truth will help you to shift from merely seeking intellectual certainty, like Minoah, to experiencing relational trust, just as Samson’s mother did.
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