I wanted to insert this thought before we continue to work through the details of this chapter. Samson’s mother, Manoah’s wife, reminds us yet again that high profile doesn’t matter, but faithful obedience does. It’s a challenge to us isn’t it? Am I prepared to serve anonymously without ever being known, or well-known?

This quote comes from the ‘Jewish Women’s Archive’:

‘Like so many biblical women, Samson’s mother is described as infertile. Like so many Biblical women, she is also nameless. Though her name has been lost to time, her impact has not. When God granted her a son and commanded her and her husband to raise the child as a Nazirite, she herself had to keep the Nazirite vows so that her son would do the same.’

Although we don’t know her name, it seems to me that she was a little more spiritually ‘switched on’ than her husband. Matthew Henry makes these great points:

‘If the wife will lead, let not the husband think it any disparagement to him to follow her in that which is virtuous and praiseworthy.’

Also:

‘Here the weaker vessel was the stronger believer, which is perhaps why the angel chose once and again to appear to her. Yoke-fellows should piously assist each other’s faith and joy as there is occasion.’

So, what counts at the end of the day? Is it that your name should live on, or your impact?

Food for thought!