The document summarizes the biblical story of Samson from the book of Judges. It describes how the Israelites had backslidden and God allowed them to be oppressed by the Philistines. God then promised a barren woman that she would bear a son who would begin to deliver the nation. This son was Samson, who was dedicated as a Nazarite from birth to be consecrated to God. When the angel foretold this to Manoah and his wife, it performed a miracle to prove its message. Samson grew up empowered by God's spirit and began to judge Israel.

1. In Judges 13 Israel has again backslidden , doing evil in the sight of the Lord. 7-18-10 Backsliding is the result of deliberate choices that we make day by day. Backsliding is not an accident.

2. Turning away from God may begin in different ways, but the end result will be the same. The Israelites simply failed to completely obey God as they occupied the Promised Land. God said to kill and drive out all the occupants of Canaan. They didn't do it.

5. Backsliding is like a snowball rolling downhill. It gets bigger, faster, and more dangerous as it goes. Inattention Filling a seat but doing nothing

6. Before too long, they are out in the world, seeking its pleasures, its wealth, its stuff.

7. However it starts, and whatever the steps, Backsliding has the same end result . In bondage to sin Troubled relationships Sad and alone

8. Israel had backslidden, and God had given them into oppression by the Philistines. The Lord came to a barren woman in Israel, And He promised her a son who would begin to deliver the nation .

9. She told her husband what the Lord had said, And he desired to see and speak with Him. "How shall we raise our son?" "As a Nazarite, separated from evil and consecrated unto the Lord.

10. TLB 15-17 Then Manoah said to the Angel, "Please stay here until we can get you something to eat." "I’ll stay," the Angel replied, "but I’ll not eat anything. However, if you wish to bring something, bring an offering to sacrifice to the Lord." (Manoah didn’t yet realize that he was the Angel of the Lord.) Then Manoah asked Him for His Name. "When all this comes true and the baby is born," he said to the Angel, "we will certainly want to tell everyone that You predicted it!"

11. (TLB) 18-20 "Don’t even ask My Name," the Angel replied, "for it is a secret." Then Manoah took a young goat and a grain offering and offered it as a sacrifice to the Lord; and the Angel did a strange and wonderful thing, for as the flames from the altar were leaping up toward the sky, and as Manoah and his wife watched, the Angel ascended in the fire! Manoah and his wife fell face downward to the ground, This was not a created angel, but an appearance of the Lord in visible form.

12. 21 But the Angel of the Lord did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that He was an angel of the Lord. 22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God. He was right about what they had seen, But drew the wrong conclusion . Manoah spoke out of fear , and fear will lead us wrong.

13. 23 But his wife said unto him, If the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things , nor would as at this time have told us such things as these. God would not have done all of this Only to kill us . She spoke from faith , and faith lets us walk in the perfect Will of God .

14. 24 And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson : and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him. 2 Corinthians 1 20 For all the Promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. All we need do is to persevere in a life of patient obedience unto our Savior and Lord. Faith to be faithful is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

15. 25 And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol. The Old Testament men and women were not indwelt with God's Holy Spirit as we are. Anointed for a purpose Did not remain .

16. It is only in the Power of the Holy Ghost that we can: Understand the Scriptures , Obey the Scriptures Know the Will of God Do the Will of God.

17. We have need of patience that after we have done the Will of God we can receive His Promises. Hebrews 10:36 Galatians 6 9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men , especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

18. Keep plodding on . God's blessing will come. We can walk in faith and never fear. Perfect love casts out fear, because fear brings torment.