READ: Judges
16
Chapter 16 describes Samson’s continued spiral
downward. Unlike in the previous chapters of his life, there is no longer any
mention of the Spirit of the Lord. Samson seems to be on his own trajectory,
and has us rolling our eyes at verse 1 already. Samson’s insistence to pursue
the enemy’s women shows bonds of rebellion and lust. His final relationship
with Delilah completely blinds him – even literally!
James 5:8 says “Draw
near to God and He will draw near to you.” The same outcome can be expected
if we draw near to the enemy. Samson kept the enemy close – due to sin, not
strategy – and in doing so, he kept the devil close as well. He was blatantly
disobeying God’s commandment not to intermarry (let alone to fornicate!) with
people of pagan nations (see Dt 7:1-6). In fact, the words that Joshua spoke to
his leaders before he died seem quite fitting for Samson: “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these
nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and
associate with them, then you may be sure that the Lord your God
will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become
snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your
eyes, until you perish from this good land, which
the Lord your God has given you.” (Jo 23:12-13) This seems to describe Samson’s situation to a T. By
walking contentedly in sin and rebellion, Samson was inviting the enemy (the
Philistines and the devil) into his
life and pushing Yahweh out. He became foolish and gullible, sacrificing his
calling for sensuality. Joshua’s words become a reality: Delilah becomes a
snare and a trap and Samson is played into the hands of the Philistines where
he is beaten and blinded.
Like Jephthah, Samson is noted in Hebrews 11 for
his faith. He does show faith in verse 28 when he calls on God for strength and
topples the temple of the Philistines. However, selfishness permeates his
motives: he asks God for strength, not so that he can finally fulfill his
God-given calling to defeat the Philistines, but so that he can have vengeance
on those who blinded him. Though used by God to defend Israel from the
Philistines, Samson never allowed God Lordship in his own heart, making his
personal story a tragic one.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. 1 Corinthians 6:18 says “Flee from sexual immorality.” And Ephesians 5:3 says, “But among you there must not be even a hint
of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of
greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
a. We are to have not even a hint of sexual immorality or impurity of any kind. Meditate on these truths and what God wants to say to you
through them. Are you living according to God’s word here?
2. When you think of Samson’s life as a whole, what
do you think was his greatest area of weakness?
a. What is an area of weakness in your life that
God has you working on? How is He transforming and growing you? Ask God for a
word of encouragement or challenge.
3. On day 1, you asked God to give you a greater
heart for holiness as you read through Judges. Have you seen growth in this
area throughout the month? Ask God to help you to draw near to Him today. Ask
Him to help you to set yourself far from the enemy – to say “no” to your sinful
nature and to flee from unrighteousness.
