Judges 13:22, 23 And Manoah said to his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.… Manoah is now uncertain whether to consider himself blessed or miserable. He has the deep-rooted superstition of a fleshly age strong within him, and is alarmed. But this arises from a defective spiritual education. He does not consider sufficiently the method and the manner of God's approaches to him. I. FEAR REGARDING GOD'S VISITATIONS IS A NATURAL FEELING. The consciousness of sin is easily roused to alarm, and the unknown is ever awe-inspiring. Our own littleness too is made the more manifest: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:4). II. How IT MAY BE OVERCOME. Considering, 1. The character of God; 2. His continuous scheme of redemption; 3. The blessings he has already bestowed; 4. The voice of Christ (" Fear not "), and the witness of the Spirit ("Abba, Father"). III. GOD WILL NOT LEAVE HIS CHILD IN UNCERTAINTY OF HIS MEANING. "Two are better than one." How often in life is the husband, wife, parent, child, brother, sister, or friend, close beside us, the witness of God and the spiritual help-meet! The simple soul teaches the more complex and experienced, being itself taught of God. And so: somewhere or other, he is never without a witness. - M. Parallel Verses KJV: And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.WEB: Manoah said to his wife, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God." |
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