The Ultimate Plus Sign. A pregnancy test in Bible times: Judges 13

My rendition of Judges 13:

The chapter begins with a reminder that, once again the people of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. This is the resounding theme in the book of Judges.

 The chapter then launches into the story of a man and woman who were unable to have a child. They were from the clan of Dan. the man's name is Manoah.
An angel appears to tell Manoah's wife, "congratulations!, not only are you pregnant, but you are pregnant with the next judge of Israel!" Here are the list of special rules for this kid. He will be a Nazarite
Manoah's wife is understandably freaked out!



What is a Nazarite you ask? Here is the answer from gotquestions.com

Question: "What is the Nazirite/Nazarite vow?"

Answer: The Nazirite/Nazarite vow is taken by individuals who have voluntarily dedicated themselves to God. The vow is a decision, action, and desire on the part of people whose desire is to yield themselves to God completely. By definition, the Hebrew word nazir, simply means “to be separated or consecrated.” The Nazirite vow, which appears in Numbers 6:1-21, has five features. It is voluntary, can be done by either men or women, has a specific time frame, has specific requirements and restrictions, and at its conclusion a sacrifice is offered.

First, the individual enters into this vow voluntarily. The Bible says, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite’” (Numbers 6:2). This shows that it is individuals who take the initiative to consecrate themselves to the Lord. There is no divine command involved. While generally done by the individual by his own choice, two individuals in the Old Testament, and one in the New Testament, were presented to God by their parents. Samuel and Samson in the Old Testament, (1 Samuel 2:8-28; Judges 13:1-5), and John the Baptist in the New Testament received the Nazirite vow from birth (Luke 1:13-17).

On with our story.

Manoah needs confirmation that his wife isn't crazy or seeing things. He asks God to send the stranger to him as well so he can get the message straight from the source. God listens and sends the messenger to confirm that "yes she is pregnant", and "yes, the child will be consecrated to God.

Judges 13:12-13
 Manoah said, “Now when your words come true, what should be the rules for the boy and how he should act?”
¹³ The Lord’s messenger answered Manoah, “The woman should be careful to do everything that I told her. ¹⁴ She must not consume anything that comes from the grapevine, drink wine or brandy, or eat anything that is ritually unclean. She must be careful to do everything I have commanded her.”

Manoah hasn't made the connection that this man is a messenger from God. He asks him his name and offers to feed him. but the messenger says, "You wouldn't understand my name and I have a better idea, how about an offering to God instead. Manoah takes his advice. When the flames from the sacrificial alter go up to the sky, the messenger goes up to the sky with them and never returns. Manoah puts two and two together and says "great, now we are going to die because we've seen God!"

His wife keeps her cool and says "If God wanted to kill us why would he let me get pregnant, and accept our offering?"

Nine months later Samson is born. God's spirit rests on him.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+13&version=NIV