Judges 13-16
Samson
Today and tomorrow we will read about Samson. Samson was chosen and empowered by God to judge Israel in the southern section of Israel. Samuel was a judge in the north at the same time. Both men were set apart to serve God from birth. Both were Nazirites. However, both men approached ministry very differently.
In the life of Samson we can see an ongoing spiritual battle. We will see the interaction of God’s call with the freewill of man, the lust of the flesh, pride, presumption, and temptation.
Though set apart by a Nazirite vow, we will read of him breaking that vow. Although by his strength, he was able to defend himself against the Philistines his weakness for women set him up for temptation that would entrap him and cut his ministry short.
No doubt God did use him and he is listed in Hebrews 11 as a man of faith but we can only wonder if God had more for him to do before he was trapped, blinded, enslaved, and died.
Samson was from the tribe of Dan. In future chapters we will read that the tribe of Dan was not strong enough to take the land allotted to them. We can only speculate that if Samson had lived as long as Samuel would he have been able to lead the tribe of Dan into the allotment God had for them with his great strength?
Regardless of the questions above, the most important thing we need to ask is what can we learn from the life of Samson?
Here are some verses to consider.
Romans 13:14; 1 Corinthians 6:14-20; Matthew 26:41; 2 Timothy 2:19-22
May God bless and guide.
Pastor Dave