2-23. Manoah Meets Christ—Manoah and his wife knew not that the One thus addressing them was Jesus Christ. They looked upon Him as the Lord′s messenger, but whether a prophet or an angel, they were at a loss to determine. Wishing to manifest hospitality toward their guest, they entreated Him to remain while they should prepare for Him a kid. But in their ignorance of His character, they knew not whether to offer it for a burnt-offering or to place it before Him as food. (2BC 1006.1) MC VC

The angel answered, “Although thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread; and if thou wilt offer a burnt-offering, thou must offer it unto the Lord.” Judges 13:16. Feeling assured, now, that his visitor was a prophet, Manoah said, “What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honor?” Judges 13:17. (2BC 1006.2) MC VC

The answer was, “Why askest thou after my name, seeing it is secret?” Judges 13:18. Perceiving the divine character of his guest, Manoah “took a kid, with a meat-offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the Lord; and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.” Judges 13:19. Fire came from the rock, and consumed the sacrifice, and as the flame went up toward heaven, “the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.” Judges 13:20. There could be no further question as to the character of their visitor. They knew that they had looked upon the Holy One, who, veiling His glory in the cloudy pillar, had been the Guide and Helper of Israel in the desert. (2BC 1006.3) MC VC

Amazement, awe, and terror filled Manoah′s heart; and he could only exclaim, “We shall surely die, because we have seen God!” Judges 13:22. But his companion in that solemn hour possessed more faith than he. She reminded him that the Lord had been pleased to accept their sacrifice, and had promised them a son who should begin to deliver Israel. This was an evidence of favor instead of wrath. Had the Lord purposed to destroy them, He would not have wrought this miracle, nor given them a promise which, were they to perish, must fail of fulfillment (The Signs of the Times, September 15, 1881). (2BC 1006.4) MC VC

5. Simplicity Leads to Readiness in Service—He who will observe simplicity in all his habits, restricting the appetite and controlling the passions, may preserve his mental powers strong, active, and vigorous, quick to perceive everything which demands thought or action, keen to discriminate between the holy and the unholy, and ready to engage in every enterprise for the glory of God and the benefit of humanity (The Signs of the Times, September 29, 1881). (2BC 1006.5) MC VC

Chapter 14 VC

1-4. A Spy in the Camp—The Lord has in His Word plainly instructed His people not to unite themselves with those who have not His love and fear before them. Such companions will seldom be satisfied with the love and respect which are justly theirs. They will constantly seek to gain from the God-fearing wife or husband some favor which shall involve a disregard of the divine requirements. To a godly man, and to the church with which he is connected, a worldly wife or a worldly friend is as a spy in the camp, who will watch every opportunity to betray the servant of Christ, and expose him to the enemy′s attacks (The Signs of the Times, September 27, 1910; The Signs of the Times, October 6, 1881). (2BC 1006.6) MC VC

Chapter 15 VC

14-19. Samson Recognizes His Dependence—Thousands of Israelites witnessed Samson′s defeat of the Philistines, yet no voice was raised in triumph, till the hero, elated at his marvelous success, celebrated his own victory. But he praised himself, instead of ascribing the glory to God. No sooner had he ceased than he was reminded of his weakness by a most intense and painful thirst. He had become exhausted by his prodigious labors, and no means of supplying his need was at hand. He began to feel his utter dependence upon God, and to be convinced that he had not triumphed by his own power, but in the strength of the Omnipotent One. (2BC 1006.7) MC VC

He then gave God the praise for his deliverance, and offered an earnest prayer for relief from his present suffering. The Lord hearkened to his petition and opened for him a spring of water. In token of his gratitude Samson called the name of the place “En-hakkore”(Judges 15:19), or “the well of him that cried” (The Signs of the Times, October 6, 1881). (2BC 1006.8) MC VC