Highlights:
Samson loses his wife; in revenge, he destroys their crops and 1,000 Philistines are slain by him. Then there is his escapade with Delilah that results in the Philistines capturing and blinding him; his prayer is answered. Chapter 17 warning; Micah's idols.
Verses for Today:
Every man did that which was right in his own eyes (Judg. 17:6).
The Israelites were set apart as a holy nation under the leadership of God. But they ignored the Laws given on Mount Sinai by their True King and ignored His daily direction.
What was wrong with Samson was wrong with the nation. It is recorded in the Book of Judges that everyone did that which was right in his own eyes (17:6). They were not concerned with knowing or doing the will of God.
There is no record that Samson ever expressed a desire to be used by the Lord to deliver the Israelites from the Philistine rulers over (15:11) them.
Early in life, Samson disregarded the spiritual significance of his Nazarite dedication by marrying a Philistine woman. He sinned greatly with Delilah. When Samson saw Delilah, he should have considered his Nazarite vow and high calling as judge of the people of God. As so often happens with everyone who presumptuously believes that the mercy of God will continue indefinitely, when Delilah said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. . . . he awoke . . . and said, I will go out as at other times . .. . And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him (16:20).
Consequently, the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes . . . and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house (16:21).
The tragic story of Samson should remind every Christian who is misusing his God-given abilities (talents) to seek . . . first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). In contrast, Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, (rather) than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb. 11:24-25).
There are just two walks in life, either the broad (majority) way or the narrow way (living to advance His kingdom). The narrow way leads to life eternal; Jesus warned: Beware of covetousness (of material pleasures and earthly desires): for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15). Christ does not say: "You ought not;" but He says: You cannot serve two masters (Matt. 6:24)."
Thought for Today:
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world (I Cor. 11:32).
Christ Revealed:
Through the strength God gave to Samson for his last victory over the Philistines (Judg. 16:28-30). I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Phil. 4:13).
Word Studies:
15:2 hated =disliked; 15:3 a displeasure =great evil; 16:5 afflict him =hold him captive; 16:16 vexed =pestered, harassed, annoyed; 16:21 fetters =chains; 16:25 make us sport =entertain us; 17:5 teraphim =household idols.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Country: Comoros (563,000) in the Mozambique Channel of the Indian Ocean • Major languages: Shaafi Islam (Swahili dialect) and Malagasy • Limited religious freedom • 99.7% Muslim; .2% Roman Catholic/Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Be of one heart and mind with other Christians (I Cor. 1:10).
Optional Reading: John 19
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:11
