This reading was especially cool for me today, because I remember the Sunday School story of how mighty Sampson was.....the adult perspective shows how flawed Sampson was...there is hope for us! God can use us even with our flaws.
God chose for Sampson to be a Narzirite...this is a vow that means set apart for God. No wine, no touching a dead body, and the "outward sign" is no cutting of the hair. The Philistines were oppressing Isreal at the time...they were known as fierce sea people. Sampson also wanted one for his wife...this would be a huge disgrace for Sampson's family, who were God fearing Jews (note the burnt offering and the grain offering that Manoah had made)....see the lion's carcass in 14:8......breaking of the vow since it was a dead animal. Verse 10 Sampson "made a feast"....this is a drinking party scholars say....another breaking of the vow....and then there is the riddle in which Sampson's wife is manipulated-Sampson is tricked at his own wedding feast....Sampson uses his gift of strength for selfish purposes (Note that everytime the Spirit of the Lord came upon Sampson, it was in power......) Sampson gives his wife to a friend, but then comes back as if he can sleep with her again......Papa of bride has an issue with this.....Sampson just seems flat mean to me in fastening torches to fox that were tied together...The Philistines burn up Sampson's wife and her father and take Sampson prisoner...the Spirit of the Lord comes on Sampson as power, he breaks free from the ropes that bind him and kills everyone with the jawbone of a donkey. Sampson is proud and boasts only of his strength....still, God has Sampson lead Israel for 20 years.....now, take your reading back to Judges 13: 5....note that the angel of the Lord says that Sampson will BEGIN the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines...Sampson has not delivered the Israelites...more tomorrow!
Look what comes up from the depths of the sea.
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now i have heard of sampson.....and can't wait until tomorrow.....sampson and delilah......I've heard songs about these two!
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