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Read Judges 13-16
THESE few days we are asking, “Why Samson?” to lean how this unfaithful judge impacts our Christian walk today. Why so much time on Samson? In truth, my impression of Samson’s story is that is generally misunderstood. We seem to focus on his super strength as a good thing. But what about his faith? Why was he in the Philistine’s captivity to destroy their temple? His life was so far from God. He fought for himself, not the Lord, nor his people. As we ask, “Why Samson?” we must remember the Bible is Holy Spirit inspired. So let’s consider what we are to learn from Samson’s story. It may open our minds to consider our own response to God’s call. We have seen that God set apart Samson’s life for a purpose as he did Israel. Both rejected their call and their purpose. Second, Samson reject the faith legacy of his parents’ devoted life. As God’s children, Israel rejected the heavenly Father’s legacy of the life he had set before them. Third, Samson defiled his body. His astounding strength became a means to display his arrogant, selfish heart. He engaged in immoral sex. He played with people’s emotions. Samson rejected each of his Nazirite vows. Samson’s violence and lust destroyed him. This was Israel as a nation. One reason they lost God’s blessing was their insistence to marry outside of Israel. Those marriages led to idol worship and gross immorality throughout Israel. Israel lived in God’s power as no other nation ever has. Yet, they rejected his mighty hand and outstretched arm. They became arrogant to complain, resisted his grace and forgot his authority. God left Samson and Israel to the destruction of their enemies. Thankfully, his grace continued through the generations. Micah 5:3-4 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when he who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. Comments are closed.
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AuthorBob James Archives
January 2025
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