Samson - Right in My eyes

Scripture reading - Deut 12:1-8

Deuteronomy 12:1–8 CSB

1 “Be careful to follow these statutes and ordinances in the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you to possess all the days you live on the earth. 2 Destroy completely all the places where the nations that you are driving out worship their gods—on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. 3 Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn their Asherah poles, cut down the carved images of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. 4 Don’t worship the Lord your God this way. 5 Instead, turn to the place the Lord your God chooses from all your tribes to put his name for his dwelling and go there. 6 You are to bring there your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tenths and personal contributions, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. 7 You will eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice with your household in everything you do, because the Lord your God has blessed you. 8 “You are not to do as we are doing here today; everyone is doing whatever seems right in his own sight.

Intro

There is great danger in doing what is right in our own eyes. it is said that a hyper rational person can condone doing many evil things if the believe what they are doing is for the greater good.

Years before she became the peculiar central thread linking a double homicide in Pennsylvania, the fatal shooting of a federal agent in Vermont and the murder of an elderly landlord in California, a computer programmer bought a sailboat. The programmer was known to friends, foes and followers as Ziz. She had come to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2016 as part of an influx of young people arriving to study the dangers that artificial intelligence could pose to humanity.

In one of the most expensive regions of the United States, however, it is difficult to save the world when you can’t make rent. So she bought a boat for $600 and moored it next to a friend’s vessel in a marina. For five years, she used it as an occasional, cramped bunk. In her waking hours, she worked on a blog of provocative and increasingly extreme ideas about confrontation and retaliation. soon she amassed a numbr of followers. Led by a programmer known as Ziz, the group consisted of former members of rationalist and effective altruist communities. Their journey began with noble intentions but gradually devolved into radicalization and violence.

In 2022, Ziz faked her death, continued her radical activities, and was later arrested in Maryland in 2023. Her followers, known as Zizians, were deeply influenced by her extreme views on ethics and AI. This sect of hyper-intelligent, militant vegans included individuals like Gwen Danielson, Alex Leatham, and Emma Borhanian. They became increasingly aggressive, organizing protests against perceived misconduct by AI research organizations, leading to arrests and escalating tensions. Internal conflicts and external ostracization further fueled their radicalization.

When one does what is right in their own eyes it can sometimes lead to tragic consequences. What we are called to do though is live according to what is right in the eyes of God. He is to be our moral compass. When we start focusing on self and wat we want and what we think is right our moral compass goes in all sorts of wrong directions.

HBI - Even though we act in selfish and evil ways for our own personal desires God still will work to accomplish His ultimate plan. God uses imperfect people to accomplish His will.

Samson had a crush - 14

We continue the story of Samson, which kind of begins and ends the same way, with Samson having a weakness for Philistine women. It seemed as if the Philistine occupation was a little more peaceful as the Israelite's seemed to be free to intermarry with them.

Samson met a philistine woman that he absolutely had to have. It was someone for which his parents did not approve.

It is no new thing for parents to not approve of significant others. I mean, I never had that problem, I think my parents liked my first girlfriend better then me, so I did what any guy would do, I marrieds her.

There concern was that he should find a wife from among their own people. after all; they were not supposed to intermarry with the other nations around them, mainly because it was disastrous for them. it seemed like again and again when the Israelite's intermarried with the Pagan unbelieving nations around them it was not good for them.

His seeing the women and wanting the women is more lust then love. He didn't know her, he didn't know her faith. He just seemed to know that she was pretty and he wanted her. after the talked about it for a while the same old theme comes back in.

Judges 14:3 CSB

3 But Samson told his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.”

I want her, she is the right one for me. She is right in my eyes is essentially what He is saying. but then in the next verse we read something that confuses it a little bit.

Judges 14:4 ESV

4 His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.

He saw someone, he wanted that girl and nothing was going to stop him from getting her it seems like. It was not something he was supposed to do, he did not seek God yet at the same time God was going to use it for His glory none the less.

God is sovereign, we learn time and time again. Yahweh’s seeking in this sense does not imply that he is inciting Samson's lustful desire for this women. Samson made a choice, God still is sovereign and in control. Samson’s actions are used to accomplish the will of God. God uses Samson in spite of his wrong motives and sinful actions. God can weave even our mistakes and sins into His greater purpose. It is no surprise to God when we make mistakes. But it is what we do after we make mistakes that matters, so let us keep following what Samson did.

Samson and the Lion

Samson wanted his way so he went down with his parents to Timnah were the woman that he wanted was. A young lion came roaring at him and God gave him the strength to battle the lion and tear it apart with his bare hands. This is somehow at a time when it seems like Samson is separated from His Parents. This is a crazy story. A young lion comes out and seeks to attack young Samson but with the Lord’s strength, we are told, He defeats the lion and tears him apart like you would a young goat. I mean I have never torn apart a young goat, but it doesn't sound easy.

The initial conversation went well, he actually spoke to her this time instead of oggling over her.

He went to marry her and it turned into a riddle game worthy of Gollum and Bilbo and what was on the line instead of the way out of a cave was 30 linen garments. You see on the way He came across the dead lion and bees had made honey in it and he ate some of it. This seems kind of ridiculous but with an all powerful God nothing is impossible. We serve the God of the impossible and it was God’s plan to make fools of the Philistines through the failure of a man named Samson.

They didn't understand the riddle so the Philistines persuaded Samson’s wife to get the answer out of him. This is not the first time a Woman would make a fool out of him. You see there would be no way for them to know. But she found out and told them the answer. His response shows how much he actually loved the young lady.

Judges 14:18 ESV

18 And he said to them, “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have found out my riddle.”

wow. Through the Spirit of the Lord he had his vengence. He fulfilled his debt by killing 30 men of the Philistines, taking there clothes and giving it to them.

Dear friends, there are both warnings and comfort for us in the story of Samson’s wayward life. Our motivations and actions ought to be right and good in the eyes of God. We are often driven by what is pleasing to our senses, not what is pleasing to God. Many live their lives as if there is no God, like fools who say there is no God.

Today, when we look at all the lawlessness, violence, rebellion and civil disobedience against authorities around us, we despair and lament over what’s happening to our nation. We sometimes wonder if God is judging our unbelief and rebellion against God. Who knows if God is working things out to send a wake-up call to Christians in America, calling us to repent of our sins and return to him?

Rather then seeking what is right in our own eyes we need to seek God and His will for our lives.

Samson Revenge

Some time later, Samson went to visit his wife, bringing a young goat as a gift. But her father wouldn’t let him see her, saying, "I thought you hated her, so I gave her to someone else. But her younger sister is here—why not take her instead?"

Angered, Samson declared, "This time, I have a right to take revenge on the Philistines!" He caught 300 foxes, tied them together in pairs by their tails, and attached torches to them. Then, he set the torches on fire and released the foxes into the Philistines’ grain fields, vineyards, and olive groves, burning everything down.

When the Philistines found out Samson was behind it because his wife had been given away, they burned her and her father to death. Samson responded, "Since you’ve done this, I won’t stop until I get my revenge!" He attacked them viciously and then retreated to a cave in the rock of Etam.

Samson Defeats the Philistines with a Jawbone

The Philistines came to the land of Judah, set up camp, and prepared to capture Samson. The men of Judah asked, "Why are you attacking us?" The Philistines replied, "We’ve come to take Samson prisoner for what he did to us."

So, 3,000 men from Judah went to Samson and said, "Don't you realize the Philistines rule over us? Why are you causing trouble?" Samson answered, "I only did to them what they did to me."

The men of Judah told him they had come to tie him up and hand him over. Samson agreed but made them promise not to kill him themselves. They tied him with two new ropes and led him to the Philistines.

As they approached, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon Samson, and the ropes around his arms snapped like burnt threads. Seeing a fresh donkey’s jawbone, he grabbed it and struck down 1,000 Philistines. Afterward, he declared:

"With a donkey’s jawbone, I have made them heaps upon heaps. With a donkey’s jawbone, I have slain a thousand men."

Samson’s Prayer and God’s Provision

After the battle, Samson was extremely thirsty and cried out to God, "You have given me this great victory, but now will I die of thirst and fall into the hands of the Philistines?"

God responded by splitting open a hollow place in Lehi, and water flowed out. Samson drank, regained his strength, and named the place En Hakkore ("The Spring of the Caller").

Samson continued to lead Israel for 20 years during the time of Philistine rule.

A few things to note here. Samson does not acknowledge God really at all. He said that “I have killed these men with my own strength”.

Just because God used Samson in His failures does not make what Samson did right. God still provided for him though, like he did the foolish Israelites a they wandered the desert for 40 years.

and as God provided water for Samson when He asks it reminds us of Jesus who freely offers us living water. Our Lord Jesus offersfreedom from our sin and selfishness to all who call on His name.

John 7:37–38 ESV

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

I aSK YOU TO CALL ON THE lORD. dO NOT BE LIKE sAMSON WHO gOD USED IN SPITE OF hIS FAILURES BUT RATHER SEEK jESUS WHO FORGIVES OUR SIN AND SEEK RATHER TO BE USED BY gOD FOR THE gLORY OF gOD IN hIS WILL.

So What? This passage is a warning for us In Samson Israel has a Judge who determines what is right and wrong based on His instincts and his own self interest. Samson lived life in a way that the world would likely endorse. Yet God used Him to accomplish his will. HBI - Even though we act in selfish and evil ways for our own personal desires God still will work to accomplish His ultimate plan. God uses imperfect people to accomplish His will.

Not what is right in my eyes but How can I serve God

God is sovereign, we learn time and time again. Yahweh’s seeking in this sense does not imply that he is inciting Samson's lustful desire for this women. Samson made a choice, God still is sovereign and in control. Samson’s actions are used to accomplish the will of God. God uses Samson in spite of his wrong motives and sinful actions. God can weave even our mistakes and sins into His greater purpose. It is no surprise to God when we make mistakes. But it is what we do after we make mistakes that matters, so let us keep following what Samson did.

Just because God used Samson’s sin to accomplish His will does not give is fre reign to follow in these ways. The Bible is clear that we need to serve and follow God with our whole hearts. We are told that we are rather we are told to seek God and His will rather then seeking our own will.

Rather we are to pray for our enemies and those who would come against us. We may complain to God that the wicked are boasting and having their way in the world for so long. But we are to pray for our enemies’ salvation. However, if they don’t repent of their unbelief, the day of vengeance will overtake them when Christ returns from heaven

Since we have been redeemed by God let us live for God

so then let us live as if we have been redeemed by God. We do not do what is right in our own eyes like the world does but rather what is right in the eyes of God. Our life in this world is a life of exile, a life of being aliens and strangers in a world that is hostile and in rebellion against our Lord. With every passing day and month and year, Christians are being squeezed into smaller and smaller avenues for preaching and teaching God’s Word. More and more of our Christian doctrines and practices are slowly being declared hateful, bigoted, and even illegal. Students can wear any T-shirt with images of Malcolm X, Che Guevara and Muhammad, or messages declaring hate for police, but not T-shirts with any kind of Christian words or images.

And in this world we speak the name of Jesus, we live our lives not for vengeance, for vengeance belongs to God. Instead we call out to God and e preach the freedom of God to those around us. No matter what is done to us our job is to preach to others of the living water that we have. As the bible says we must become doers of the word of God.

Let us pray: Our merciful God, we thank you that you speak to us through your word. Grant us all grace that we may not be mere hearers of your word, but doers also. May we as the church of God and Christ be firm in our faith as we pray for our leaders, encourage one another in the church, and persevere in the faith as aliens and strangers in this world. May the Spirit give us boldness as faithful witnesses in a godless and God-hating culture. And conform us to image of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.