Monday, July 23, 2012

Angel of the Lord

Pam Padgett ... teacher

An angel of the Lord was sent to Manoah's wife, telling her she would have a son who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines, and gave instructions needed because the son was to be a Nazarite from the womb.  This son was Samson.

Judges 13:2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. 3 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. 4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: 5 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor 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 told Manoah what the angel said, and Manoah asked God to send the angel again to teach them what they should do ...  Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born. (Judges 13:8)  God sent the angel to them ... And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? (Judges 13:12)

13 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware. 14 She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.
(Judges 13)

As I read this, it stood out to me that Manoah wanted to know what they were to do where the child was concerned, and was told the same things already told to his wife.  God gave them the information they needed at the time, according to His will. 

God knows what we need to know and provides that to us as He wills.  We may think we need to know more, and turn to God asking for more information.  If we're given nothing more at the time, we walk in the instruction we have been given, content and confident that, if anything more is needed in the future, God will provide it. 


Another example ... when Jesus spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul asked what he should do.  He was told the first thing to do ... go into the city ...  and he would be told what to do. 

Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

Paul went to the city as instructed, being led by those who could see since he couldn't.  For three days he was blind.  Paul was shown in a vision that Ananias would come and put his hand on him so that he would receive his sight.

Ananias was told by God to go to Paul.  Ananias knew that Paul had done many things against those who believed in Jesus, and turned to God with his concerns.  God confirmed that Ananias was to go and told him that Paul was chosen by Him.  So Ananias went, as he was instructed  ...

Acts 9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.



One day many questions started going through my mind such as "should I do this?   what about that?" (I don't remember the exact questions).  When turning to God with these questions, I had a thought which I believe was from the Holy Spirit "What has God told you to do?"   When I focused on what I believed God had told me and doing that, not allowing my mind to wander around to other things, I was able to move forward in peace.


We walk in that which God has instructed and revealed to us at this point, doing those things, and believing that God will give us anything else needed by the time it is needed.