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The Truth About Angels
altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to
the ground.” 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.
Amazement, awe, and terror filled Manoah’s heart, and he could
only exclaim, “We shall surely die, because we have seen God!” 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.—
The Signs of the Times,
September 15, 1881
.
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The divine promise to Manoah was in due time fulfilled in the
birth of a son, upon whom the name of Samson was bestowed. By the
command of the angel no razor was to come upon the child’s head, he
being consecrated to God as a Nazarite, from his birth.—
The Signs of
the Times, October 6, 1881
.
Samuel and Eli
Samuel was a child surrounded by the most corrupting influences.
He saw and heard things that grieved his soul. The sons of Eli, who
ministered in holy office, were controlled by Satan. These men pol-
luted the whole atmosphere which surrounded them. Men and women
were daily fascinated with sin and wrong, yet Samuel walked untainted.
His robes of character were spotless. He did not fellowship, or have
the least delight in, the sins which filled all Israel with fearful reports.
Samuel loved God; he kept his soul in such close connection with
heaven that an angel was sent to talk with him in reference to the
sins of Eli’s sons, which were corrupting Israel.—
Testimonies for the
Church 3:472, 473
.
The transgressions of Eli’s sons were so daring, ... that no sacrifice
could atone for such willful transgression.... These sinners conducted
the ark to the camp of Israel....
God permitted His ark to be taken by their enemies to show Israel
how vain it was to trust in the ark, the symbol of His presence, while
they were profaning the commandments contained in the ark....
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