Judges 13:15

"Please stay here," Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, "and we will prepare a young goat for you."

Study Bible

“Please stay here,”
Manoah's request for the angel of the LORD to stay reflects the ancient Near Eastern custom of hospitality, which was highly valued. This request indicates Manoah's desire to honor the visitor, whom he perceives as a man of God. Hospitality was a significant cultural practice, as seen in Genesis 18 when Abraham entertains three visitors.

Manoah said to the angel of the LORD,
The angel of the LORD is a recurring figure in the Old Testament, often considered a theophany or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. This encounter is significant as it involves divine intervention in the lives of Manoah and his wife, leading to the birth of Samson, a judge of Israel. The angel of the LORD appears in other key biblical moments, such as to Hagar in Genesis 16 and to Gideon in Judges 6.

“and we will prepare a young goat for you.”
Offering a young goat was a common practice for a meal or sacrifice, symbolizing respect and reverence. In the context of Judges, sacrifices were often made to seek favor or express gratitude to God. This act of preparing a meal aligns with the sacrificial system outlined in Leviticus, where offerings were made to honor God. The preparation of a young goat also echoes the hospitality shown by Gideon in Judges 6:19, where he prepares a young goat for the angel of the LORD.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Manoah
A man from the tribe of Dan, the father of Samson. He is characterized by his desire to understand God's will and his hospitality.

2. The Angel of the LORD
A divine messenger who appears to Manoah and his wife, announcing the birth of Samson. This figure is often seen as a theophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.

3. The Offering
Manoah's request to prepare a young goat signifies an act of hospitality and reverence, reflecting the cultural and religious practices of the time.

4. Zorah
The town in the territory of Dan where Manoah and his family lived, setting the stage for the events leading to Samson's birth.

5. Samson's Birth Announcement
The broader context of this verse is the announcement of Samson's birth, a significant event in Israel's history as Samson would become a judge and deliverer of Israel.

Teaching Points

Hospitality as Worship
Manoah's offer to prepare a meal for the Angel of the LORD reflects the importance of hospitality as an act of worship and reverence towards God.

Seeking Understanding
Manoah's interaction with the Angel shows a desire to understand God's will, encouraging believers to seek divine guidance in their lives.

Recognizing Divine Presence
The encounter challenges us to be aware of God's presence in our daily lives, often in unexpected ways.

Faith in God's Promises
Manoah's response to the angelic message demonstrates faith in God's promises, a model for trusting God's plans for our lives.

The Role of Sacrifice
The preparation of a young goat symbolizes the importance of sacrifice in worship, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Manoah's response to the Angel of the LORD reflect the cultural and religious practices of his time, and what can we learn from this about our own expressions of faith?

2. In what ways does the account of Manoah and the Angel of the LORD encourage us to be more aware of God's presence in our daily lives?

3. How can Manoah's desire to understand God's will inspire us to seek divine guidance in our own decision-making processes?

4. What parallels can we draw between Manoah's encounter with the Angel and other biblical accounts of divine visitation, and how do these accounts deepen our understanding of God's interaction with humanity?

5. How does the theme of hospitality in this passage connect with New Testament teachings, and how can we apply this principle in our interactions with others today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 18
Similar to Manoah's encounter, Abraham also shows hospitality to divine visitors, highlighting a consistent biblical theme of welcoming God's messengers.

Hebrews 13:2
This verse encourages believers to show hospitality, as some have entertained angels without knowing it, echoing Manoah's experience.

Luke 1
The announcement of John the Baptist's birth to Zechariah parallels the angelic announcement to Manoah, emphasizing God's intervention in miraculous births.