And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well(Judg. 14:2-3).
For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines (Judg. 13:5). Samson’s role as a Judge of Israel had been heralded by an angelic messenger prior to his conception and eagerly anticipated by his joyful parents. And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him (13:24). Scripture tells us little of his childhood, but we know he grew to adulthood enjoying the blessings of God and that the Spirit of the Lord was active within him.
Chapter 14 of the Book of Judges offers us our first glimpse of Samson as a fully grown adult, and what we see is not encouraging. Going against both the directives of God (Deut. 7:3) and the admonitions of his parents, Samson resolves to marry a Philistine woman. As preparations are being made for the wedding feast, Samson then enters into an expensive, foolish wager with his 30 groomsmen, challenging them to solve the riddle he poses before the end of the 7-day feast. When the bet is won by the groomsmen through the deceptive manipulation of Samson’s new bride, he reacts with fierce anger. He slaughters 30 Philistines from a neighboring town, loots them of their garments and possessions, and uses the spoils to pay his wager to his groomsmen. Then, he abandons his wife and returns to his father’s home.
This narrative reads much more like the exploits of a spoiled, self-centered teen than that of a God-appointed judge of Israel. Samson’s impulsivity, desire for self-gratification, temper, and lack of moral code are on full display. Although he did sow seeds of fear and unrest amongst the enemies of Israel, he did it for purely personal reasons, not to better the conditions of his people or forward the cause of God. Yet even though Samson was acting solely in his own interests, God’s plan was not being thwarted. Twice in this chapter, we are told that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, granting him the strength to accomplish his chosen task (14:6,19). Regardless of intent and likely without ever realizing it, Samson was used by the Lord, just as the angel had foretold.
Today’s reading offers us comfort by illustrating that God’s plan is greater than the sum of those He employs to enact it. It cannot be derailed by humans, either purposefully or accidentally. But the reading also brings us a somber warning. Just because God has chosen us for a role in the furtherment of His plan does not mean that we are exempted from the need to choose Him in return. His plan will be accomplished, but unless we fully embrace it and join with the body of Christ, we will still be lost.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him(John 3:36).
Thought For TodayGod’s hand is on every life, even those who don’t acknowledge Him. Should they ever come to recognize His guidance, He is prepared to deliver them immediately.
Word Studies12:5 took the passages of Jordan = seized the fiords; 12:6 frame = enunciate, pronounce; 13:6 very terrible = very awesome; 13:18 secret = wonderful beyond understanding; 14:4 occasion against = opportunity to destroy, but once again Samson became sidetracked; 14:12 sheets = linen robes, shawls; 14:13 declare = solve; 14:16 hate = have no love; 14:17 lay sore upon = persisted; 14:19 expounded = solved.
Christ Portrayed:By Samson, who, as a Nazarite, was to be consecrated to God from the womb (birth) to the day of his death (Judg. 13:7). Jesus was also set apart and consecrated to God from the womb to the day of His death on the cross. Unlike Samson, who failed God, Jesus totally fulfilled the plan of God as He said He would do when He left heaven saying: Lo, I come . . . to do Thy will, O God (Heb. 10:7).
Pray For Staff:Gilbert Palafox • Country: Uruguay (3,332,972) South America • Major Language: Spanish • Religious Freedom • 47.1% Roman Catholic; 11.1% Protestant; 23.2% Nondenominational; 0.3% Jewish; 17.2% Atheist/Agnostic; 1.1% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Ask according to the will of God in the Name of Jesus and you will receive (John 16:24).
Optional Reading:John 18