SDA Sabbath School Lessons
June 1, 1996


#9 Born to Win

Read for this week's study: Judges 13.

Memory text: Judges 13:3, KJV

Key thought:

Samson was a special deliverer, whom God chose before his birth. All who are privileged to be chosen by God have a responsibility to live holy lives.
Child of Promise. Infertility is a major problem today. Many couples spend thousands of dollars on medical procedures that increase their chances of having children. In many cases, of course, success by such means is not guaranteed.

In ancient times, couples were just as anxious to have children, but modern technology was not available to them. the kind of stress that could result from infertility is apparent in this exchange between Rachel and Jacob: Rachel "said to Jacob, 'Give me children, or I'll die!' Jacob became angry with her and said, 'Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?' " (Gen. 30:1, 2).

Why did god allow Rachel to be childless? So that when she did have a child, she would recognize him to be a special gift from the Lord (Gen. 30:22, 23). Earlier, God had taught the same lesson to Sarah (Gen. 8:9-14; 21:1-7) and Rebekah (Gen. 25:21).

In the time of the "judges," Mrs. Manoah was infertile. But the Lord gave her a child who would grow up to become big and strong. Yes, strong indeed!

Outline: