Judges 13-14

“We shall surely die, for we have seen God” (13:22).  Before he was born, Samson’s parents received a prophecy from God’s angel; his mother first, and then his father.  They were instructed to offer a sacrifice, and they watched God’s angel go up “in the flames of the altar.”  Samson’s father Manoah was filled with fear, but his wife realized that God had plans for their future and would not harm them (v23).  In the same way, though all Israel disobeyed, God would not abandon them.

God did not wait for a righteous leader; he raised up judges even in the dark times.  “While we were still sinners,” God loved us and planned our salvation (Rom 5:8).