Ode to Samson's Parents

"For you are my hope, O Lord GOD:

you are my trust from my youth."

~ Psalms 71:5

When Samson's parents were told that they would soon have a child after being barren, I am sure they were very excited! The angel of God said to them that he was to be raised as a special child "unto God from the womb" (Judges 13:5).

What was their first reaction? It wasn't... choosing a name. It wasn't... how were they going to decorate the baby room. It wasn't... thinking about what school he would attend. It wasn't... thinking of what extra activities they would get to participate in when he grew older.

Their first concern was what God wanted from them for their child!

The first reaction was to ask the Lord to "teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born" (Judges 13:8).

Isn't our goal as believing parents to also raise our children "unto God from the womb"? And doesn't God teach us through the Scriptures what ought to be done?

• "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)
• "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." ~ Deuteronomy 6:67
• "Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it." ~ Proverbs 22:6
• "Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord." ~ Colossians 3:20
• "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." ~ Ephesians 6:1-3 NKJV
• "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We must be diligent and forsake the saying that "children will be children" and watch them sin away... for these early days will be forming the character of the child. We are to be their teachers from the beginning. We must take our parental responsibilities seriously and prayerfully. Remember, these are God's children that He gave us to raise unto Him and ultimately they should be taught to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). And this dear reader, will take some time.

"Begin early to teach, for children begin early to sin."

~ Charles Spurgeon

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