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His visit ushers in joy, by Funmi Komolafe
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

His visit ushers in joy, by Funmi Komolafe

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • This article is a religious reflection on divine visits and their consequences, using biblical examples like Manoah and his wife, and Samson.
  • It emphasizes God's ability to communicate through various means, including dreams and the Holy Spirit.
  • The piece encourages readers to be open to hearing God's voice and draws lessons on faith, obedience, and divine timing from the biblical narrative.

This piece begins by welcoming readers to the last Sunday of June, marking the end of the first half of 2026. It expresses gratitude for life and suggests that survival is purposeful, urging readers to thank God.

Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. So, be careful; you must not drink wine or any alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.

— Angel of the LordThe angel's message to Manoah's wife as recorded in Judges 13.

The core of the reflection returns to the theme of divine visits and their outcomes, drawing heavily on biblical narratives. It posits that God can manifest in human form, speak through the Bible, or communicate through words of knowledge, wisdom, dreams, or the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit. The author prays for readers to have their spiritual ears opened to hear God's voice before the month concludes.

The article then delves into the story of Manoah and his wife from the Book of Judges. It recounts how an angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah's wife, who was barren, and promised her a son who would be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth and would begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines. Manoah prayed for the angel to return, and God answered, sending the angel again to repeat the instructions.

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.

— ManoahManoah's prayer after his wife recounted the angel's visit.

Several lessons are drawn from this account. Firstly, the narrative highlights that while Manoah's wife was barren, the reason was not specified, but God intervened to break that yoke. Secondly, she is presented as having believed the angel without doubt or excessive questioning. Thirdly, the angel provided specific dietary and behavioral instructions, emphasizing what she must not consume or do. Finally, the angel's use of the word "soon" indicates a divine promise of timely fulfillment.

And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field but Manoah her husband was not with her.

— BibleThe biblical account of God answering Manoah's prayer.

The article concludes by referencing the birth of Samson and the Lord's blessing upon him, reinforcing the idea that God's promises are fulfilled. It encourages readers to learn from this biblical example about faith, obedience, and the certainty of divine intervention.

And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.

— BibleThe conclusion of the story of Manoah, his wife, and the birth of Samson.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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