Judges Part 14a

XIV. Judges 14. A. In this chapter, God begins to curiously use Samson to judge the Philistines who “...had dominion over Israel” (v. 4). 1. Samson was a chosen instrument to be occasionally animated by the Spirit of the LORD to begin the Philistines’ demise. JDG 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14. 2. In this chapter, Samson sets forth a riddle while his own life and ministry are somewhat of a riddle, a paradox. He did what God wanted by that which was seemingly weak and evil and we are not to presume to do evil, that good may come. ROM 3:8. 3. “...because he was designed not to be a pattern to us (who must walk by rule, not by example), but a type of him who, though he knew no sin, was made sin for us, and appeared in the likeness of sinful flesh, that he might condemn and destroy sin in the flesh, Rom 8:3.” (Matthew Henry) 4. Scripture provides us with examples of very flawed men who were occasionally operated on by the Spirit of the Lord, like Saul or Caiaphas. 1SAM 10:10; 11:6; JOH 11:49-52. 5. We know that Samson was a man of faith (HEB 11:32) though significantly flawed, as were/are all other persons of faith other than Jesus Christ, the flawless Man of faith. JOH 8:29 c/w HEB 11:6. 6. Samson’s flaws cannot be justified except in the context that God used Him for His designs to trouble the Philistines. God could have raised up and used someone of greater integrity but even the best of men (other than Christ) still have the stain of sin and filthy-rag righteousnesses. ISA 64:6. 7. None should boast if used by God. ISA 10:15; JER 9:23-24; GEN 32:10. B. vs. 1-4. 1. Samson saw a Philistine woman who pleased him well (v. 3). a. He only briefly encountered her and at this point he did not say that her good works or interlocution pleased him well. This is natural attraction (which is not of itself evil but a poor basis on which alone to build a good Judges 6-26-25 Page 25  relationship). Character is better. PRO 11:22; 31:30; 1PE 3:3-6. b. The Cambridge KJV marginal rendering of “pleaseth me well” is “right in mine eyes,” characteristic of the times. JDG 21:25. c. The lusts of the flesh and eyes rank high on the trouble-list. 1JO 2:16. d. Samson’s weak spot began to show. Animal instincts can take down strong men. PRO 7:26. 2. Samson did well to involve his godly parents in the matter, and their concerns were justified. But a familiar story of seeking a rubber stamp for one’s intentions unfolds here: Samson wanted this woman in spite of sound parental warnings. 3. The Philistines were not specifically listed among the devoted nations of Canaan with whom no peace or marriages were to be made. DEUT 7:1-4. a. But they were idolaters and the risks of spiritual and moral corruption were real. JDG 10:6. b. The best marriages are where husband and wife have great love for the Lord Jesus Christ of the Scriptures, submission to Him and to one another in Him, respect for one another that does not exalt self, working through all troubles with faith and patience, sealing their hearts against any competitive intruder or former involvements. Lesser marriages can work but likely take more work. c. This Philistine woman was no Ruth. RUTH 1:16. 4. Behind the scenes of Samson’s impulsiveness was the providence of God Who had designs against the Philistines. v. 4. a. NOTE: the sovereignty and providence of God are His domains to accomplish His will. We dare not presume upon them when we have plainly defined duties and conversation (manner of living). b. Assuming that you are indispensible to God’s plans is a very unwise posture. ROM 11:14-24. c. NOTE: If it be assumed that Samson was pursuing this woman by the direction of the Spirit of the Lord, then the betrothal and marriage was really just a ruse to create a scenario that would provide some legal justification for slaying Philistines, a “false flag” for the destruction of Israel’s enemies. But the narrative lends itself more readily to God using and overruling Samson’s impulsiveness to accomplish His purposes C. vs. 5-9. 1. While in the general way of duty, a lion attacked the man of God (v. 5). We should expect to encounter adversity where there is an opportunity to do God's work. 1CO 16:9. 2. The devil is such a lion who seeks to undo us and devour us. 1PE 5:6-8. 3. Samson feared not to fight the lion, and prevailed by the Spirit of the Lord (v. 6). Neither should we fear the temptations and persecutions that the devil roars at us. Through faith and the Spirit’s truth we may overcome. 1PE 5:9; GAL 5:16; 1JO 2:14. 4. It is said that some, through faith, stopped the mouths of lions (HEB 11:33). If we apply ourselves prayerfully to the word of God and live according to it, we may do likewise. TIT 1:9-11; 1PE 3:13-17. 5. Samson faced the lion alone and prevailed. Though we do well to have the support of others in our battles against sin and tribulation, a Spirit-filled man can stand alone and prevail. ISA 63:3-5; 2TI 4:16-17. 6. Mind that Samson had nothing in his hand to defeat the lion. v. 6. Judges 6-26-25 Page 26  a. God’s ministers should not have their hands full of carnal entanglements. 2TI 2:4. b. We do not need technology to win the battle against Satan: the studied word of God treasured in the heart is superior. PSA 119:11; MAT 4:1-11. 7. After the lion was defeated, there was sweetness for the victor (vs. 8-9). Satan can be successfully resisted, and after the battle there is sweetness. 1PE 5:10. a. Who would have thought that there could come something sweet and beneficial out of the carcass of a once-roaring lion? b. Honey and God's words enlighten the eyes. 1SAM 14:29 c/w PSA 119:130. c. God's words are better and sweeter. PSA 119:103; 19:10. 8. The conversion of Saul of Tarsus roughly parallels this account of the lion v. Samson. a. Saul roared against Christ and His church, animated by the lionish devil himself (who held the Gentiles in darkness). ACT 9:1. b. Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, mightily prevailed over Saul. c. Saul's old sin nature and Pharisee-delusion were arrested and mortified. d. From that shell of a dead body of sin (ROM 6:6) came forth the sweet honey of the gospel for the opening of the eyes of the Gentiles. ACT 26:17-18. e. With Saul, “...out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness...” (JDG 14:14). 10. The Law, like this lion, roared at sinners with a message of the curse, futility, condemnation, death. Christ abolished it by His cross, satisfying its demands for us (COL 2:13-14; ROM 10:4; 7:6), and from it now we enjoy the sweetness of the gospel of Jesus Christ hidden within it. JOH 5:39; ROM 15:4. 11. Samson also had to deal with bees after the lion’s demise. a. Expect the glorious gospel to come with some stings but its benefits make it worth the discomfort. b. Samson was basically being prepped to engage the multitudes of the Philistines. c/w PSA 118:12. 12. Though the source of the honey was despicable, it did not deter Samson from eating and sharing it with others. v. 9. a. The sweetness of the gospel is not that Jesus was haled as a king by the masses (JOH 6:14-15) but that He out of love suffered a shameful death in the stead of sinners to redeem them unto an eternal inheritance. HEB 9:15; GAL 2:20. b. Neither should the offense of the cross of Christ deter us from sharing its benefits with others. ROM 1:16; 2TI 1:8. 13. In the lion and the honeycomb is a basic picture of life from death. This is the core of the gospel which saves and feeds us. 1CO 15:1-4. 14. How many are less wise or more scrupulous than Samson in that they: a. reject the gospel message because it is declared by flawed sinners (JOH 9:34)? or b. reject the beauty of holiness (PSA 29:2) in favor of a false holiness of beauty to make religion more appealing to the world? or c. scoff at a small church of humble believers in spite of LUK 12:32; 2CO 10:12? or d. hough themselves from effective labor for Christ because His gift is lodged within the corrupt husk of the old man? But see ROM 7:24-25 and don’t Judges 6-26-25 Page 27  wait for a resurrection body in the future to live the life of victory when you can live it now by faith. 1JO 5:4. 15. We would observe also that Samson “...went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well” (v. 7). a. He actually talked with her: a healthy policy before and after marriage. b. That she had a mind and a mouth only encouraged him.