Thursday, August 28, 2003 (63)MANOAH PRAYED EARNESTLY. There may have been many reasons for his request for another visit by the angel. Certainly, not the least of which would have been a desire to see and hear this good news, for himself. Jgs. 13:8 After all it was a male dominated society and the head of the house should be visited first. The Lord has a sense of humor. He responded to the prayer of Manoah, but waited until his wife was alone in the field. Jgs. 13:9 Knowing the anxiety of her husband to meet the man of God, she ran quickly and told him of the visitation, returning with him. Jgs. 13:10 Manoah, came with questions which had already been answered. Lord help our unbelief. Are you the man? His wife had already told him that the man had come again. How shall we raise him? Again, his wife had conveyed to him the instructions of the man of God.
MANOAH WORSHIPED THE LORD. Manoah, though standing face to face and carrying on a conversation with the man, did not recognize Him to be the angel of the Lord. His wife however, had immediately accepted the revelation and acknowledged the angel of the Lord. There is a marked contrast in the spiritual perception of this husband and wife. Manoah, could not discern the nature of the person standing before him. Jgs. 13:16 The third question of Manoah is a good one. What is your name? Then, when this all comes to pass we may give credit to you as the prophet who prophesied these things. Do prophets need credit given to them? v. 17 The man of the Lord proclaimed His name to be secret [peliy, or wonderful]. Wonderful, is the first name applied to the Lord Jesus Christ, which is an expression of the glory of His person. Isa. 9:6 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. Ps. 25:14 Showing reverence to the LORD, Jehovah, will gain entrance to the secret place and the secrets of the Most High. His constant purpose is to make Himself known to His people. We can only know Him, when we know Him by name. The Father has bestowed a name upon Him that exceeds all other names. To confess that name is to acquiesce in the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:9-11 When speaking of Jesus, His name must be used for identification. The term God has become so ambiguous, there are a countless number of gods around the world but only one Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 8:6 It is of vital importance that we honor His name by identifying Him with that name. He promised His presence where two or three are gathered in His name. Mt. 18:20 He promised to answer prayer that is in His name. John 14:13-14 The powers of darkness are subject to His name. Luke 10:17 Healing is to be found in His name. Acts 3:16 There is but one name that will bring salvation to the lost and that is His name. Acts 4:12 Jesus order that baptism be in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Mt. 28:19 What is that name? What ever we do, we are to do it in His name. Col. 3:17 His name is indeed WONDERFUL.