Central Thought: Toying with sin certainly destroys.
Hymn: “Christian, seek not yet repose”
Text: Judges 14:1-20
1 Corinthians 10:11-14
Introduction:
Samson was born with a lot of potentials. He was to be God’s instrument to rescue Israel from the oppression and grip of the Philistines. To accomplish his mandate, God empowered him with enormous strength. He was inspired and stirred up by the Spirit of God to accomplish his mission as judge and deliverer in Israel, Judges 13:25. Though known for his feats of strength and listed in the Hall of faith (Heb. 11:32-34), he fell as a result of disobedience, carelessness, and uncontrollable habit. Considering the level of laxity in our time, this study is not only timely, but also a serious warning to the believer of today. Some of us are living with such a false confidence today that we cannot fall. We shall in this study consider the life of Samson who though highly anointed by God (i.e. empowered), and enjoyed much of His grace, fell at the end and died with his enemies.
Lesson Objectives:
- To examine the place of Samson in the history of Israel.
- To identify the instructions given to his Mother.
- To discuss the exploits of Samson
- To note the factors that led to Samson’s final fall
Q 1.) Who was Samson and what role was he to play in Israel?
Judges 13:2-5
The man Samson was the son of Manoah of the tribe of Dan. Dan signifies a judge or judgement was pronounced by Jacob while blessing his sons in Genesis 49:16-17. His mother was barren for a long time, but in fulfillment of God’s promises He gave Manoah and his wife a son who was named Samson.
The nation of Israel did what was evil in the sight of God, and God delivered them into the hand of the Philistines who oppressed them for 40 years, Judges 13:1. However, God in His mercy promised to give a son to Manoah and his wife who “shall begin to deliver Israel” Judges 13:5. Samson was that promised son and his mandate was to begin to rescue Israel from the hand of the Philistines.
Q.2.) Identify the Instructions given to his mother. Do you have similar instructions from the Lord and why?
Judges 13:4-7, 1 Peter 2:9, Isaiah 52:11, 2 Corinthians 6:17
The son promised to Manoah and his wife was to be a Nazarite (Judges 13:5), which meant he was to be “consecrated” or “dedicated” to God. Samson’s mother was therefore instructed not to drink wine or strong drink, eat no unclean or forbidden food, not to cut the hair of her son who shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb. A Nazarite often takes a vow to be dedicated and given wholly to the service of God. He was expected not to cut his hair, touch a dead body or take strong drinks (Numbers 6:1-8). The mother had to observe some of the Nazarite guidelines perhaps to set example for the child; Judges 13:14. It should be noted that Samson was anointed (empowered) from his Mother’s womb.
Nazarites separated themselves from the rest of the people and were given wholly unto God and His service. New Testament believers are in no way different. We are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…” ( 1 Peter 2:9). We are not ordinary but God’s very own possession, empowered; vessels and instruments in His hand. As a result, we are to be separated from the worldly systems, as we “bear the vessels of the Lord” Isaiah 52_11, 2 Corin. 6:17.
Q3.) Read the following scriptures and identify some exploits of Samson
Judges 14:5-6. 19; 15:13-17; 16:6-9, 28-31
The spirit of the Lord came upon Samson, empowering him to do exploits. As Samson and his parents were going to Timnah in pursuance to Samson’s marriage, a lion challenged Samson who killed the lion with his bare hands. Lion is often referred to as the king of the forest and the scripture describes the lion as the king of animals (Proverbs 30:30). It is only by the power of Good that one can accomplish this.
To reward those who solved his riddles, Samson single handedly killed thirty men in Ashkelon, took their clothing and other belongings and gave to the thirty men that solved his riddle.
When Samson learnt that his wife was given to his best man, he caught and used three hundred foxes to destroy the wheat grades of the Philistines, Judges 15:4-5. In retaliation, the farmers burnt Samson’s wife and her father to death. Samson then killed so many of them Judges 15:7-8. With this, the Philistines invaded Judah to capture Samson. Out of fear, the men of Judah tied up and handed over Samson to the Philistines. While the Philistines were celebrating their victory, the Spirit of God came mightily upon Samson, the ropes were loosened, and he took a jawbone of a recently killed donkey and killed one thousand Philistines Judges 15:13-17. When the deceptive Delilah used seven new bowstrings to tie Samson and called upon the Philistines to prevail on him, Samson scrapped the bowstrings with ease. Judges 16:6-9. When Samson was finally captured and his two eyes plucked out, he turned back to God. His prayer tallied with God’s purpose for his life.
He put his hands on the two center pillars holding the temple, pushing against them with both hands and the temple crashed, killing himself, all the Philistine rulers and their followers. All the people he killed were more that the people he killed in his entire lifetime, Judges 16:26-30.
In this incident, we see God as one who hates evil and in His justice punishes evil doers; yet, in His love, He answered Samson’s prayer.
From the above, we see that God always honors His name and remains faithful, even when man fails.
Q.4.) Discuss the following factors that led to Samson’s fall and the lesson from them
The following factors accounted for the gradual fall of Samson:
- Disobedience (Judges 14:3)
When Samson was in Timnah, he met a Philistine woman and decided to marry her. He told his parents of his intention but they objected to it, advising him to marry from Israel. His plan was against God’s word for His people (Deut. 7:1-4, Exo. 34:15-17). Samson insisted by saying “Get her for me and no other”, Judges 14:3; thus disobeying his parents. The clear teaching on Christian marriage is that we should marry from the Christian community (2 Corin. 6:14).
2. Carelessness (Judges 14:8-10)
Samson as a Nazarite was not expected to go near a dead body or carcass. He was also not to take wine or strong drink. From the above passage we find that Samson violated his vow and ignored the teachings he received from childhood. He took honey from the carcass of the lion he killed, and threw a party as was customary for bridegrooms.
3. Uncontrollable Habit (Judges 14:1-2, 16:1-4)
Samson had uncontrollable lust for strange women. He lusted and got married to a Philistine woman from Timnah. Judges 14:1-2. At Gaza, he spent the night with a prostitute. Afterwards, he fell in love with a woman named Delilah Judges 16:4. Delilah pleaded with Samson several times for him to reveal the secret of his power. This finally led to his fall Judges 16:15-22.
The fall of Samson was gradual. It all started with little compromises and lowering of God’s standards, yet convincing himself that all was well. He seemed to still have the anointing to defeat the Philistines. However, time came when “he did not realize the Spirit of the Lord had left him” Judges 16:20.
In the same way, some Christians take things for granted, thinking that they are infallible. Looking at what they shouldn’t see, going to places that they shouldn’t go, and doing what they shouldn’t do. Going backward gradually and assuring themselves of God’s presence as long as they can still speak in tongues, preach the gospel and receive accolades from people as “man of God”.
Let us take heed and avoid the mistakes of Samson. Though empowered, the believer must be obedient and submissive to the Spirit of God, humble himself under God’s mighty hand, in order to be indeed God’s battle-axe for exploits.
Q.5.) How did Samson finally fall?
Judges 16:16-30
Any lesson for us?
Samson finally fell prey to the destructive pressure from Delilah. He revealed the secret of his power to Delilah who now shaved his hair and called on the Philistines to capture him. With Samson now in their custody, they gouged out his eyes, bound him with bronze chains, scorned and mocked him. They later held a great festival, offering sacrifices and praising their god Dagon who they presumed gave them victory over Samson, their enemy.
With time his hair grew and his strength also grew. In repentance he cried to God “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me I pray, just this once O God…” Judges 16:28. God answered his prayer as his request was related to God’s purpose for his life. He put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing the two pillars against each other, the temple collapsed.
This took his life but brought victory to Israel as he killed more people in the process than he did in his lifetime.
The story of Samson reveals to us that no one is infallible. Samson continually played with sin and he eventually lost his anointing, his two eyes and his life. What a tragedy! Toying with sin can destroy anyone no matter his spiritual height.
From the incident, we also learned of God’s enduring mercy and faithfulness to do what He had empowered Samson to accomplish.
God always honors His Name!
Daily Living Application
The man Samson paid dearly for his disobedience, carelessness and uncontrollable lust. The last stage of his life was inglorious, though, when he repented, his strength was restored to finish his purpose of bringing deliverance to Israel. If the “mighty “can fall, what will one say of the weak and the unguarded Christian. What happened to Samson is meant to teach us a lesson so as to avoid taking the grace of God for granted.
Memory Verse
1 Corinthians 10:12
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall”.
Daily Devotional Guide
Monday: End of oppression promised
Judges 13:1-13
Tuesday: The identity of Samson
Judges 13:2-5
Wednesday: God’s instruction to Samson’s mother
Judges 13:4-7, 13-14
Thursday: Samson’s responsibility after birth
Judges 13:7c
Friday: Being separate unto God.
Isaiah 52:11; 2 Corinthians 6:17, 1 Peter 2:9
Saturday: Samson anointed Israel’s deliverer.
Judges 13:24, 25; 14:5, 6, 19