God’s People Oppose God’s Purposes — Judges 15

INTRODUCTION:

God always accomplishes His purposes. To this we say AMEN! This is a beautiful and comforting truth that we see throughout the pages of Scripture — especially in the book of Judges. The sovereignty of God causes believers to rejoice and rest in the perfect rule of our God.

This is the underlying truth of our passage tonight — God always accomplishes His purposes. Yet our passage exposes the sad reality of human nature and — more specifically — of God’s people. God’s people oppose God’s purposes.

Judges 15 reveals two heart postures present in those who oppose God’s purposes. Let’s read Judges 15 together.

Judges 15 KJV 1900

1 But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in. 2 And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her. 3 And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure. 4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails. 5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives. 6 Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire. 7 And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease. 8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam. 9 Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi. 10 And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us. 11 Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them. 12 And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves. 13 And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock. 14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. 15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. 16 And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, With the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men. 17 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath-lehi. 18 And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised? 19 But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof En-hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day. 20 And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

It’s my prayer tonight that we will leave convicted of ways in which we oppose God’s purposes and encouraged to live according to our God-given purposes.

Through Samson, we see the first heart posture — God’s people oppose God’s purposes through pride.

POINT #1: GOD’S PEOPLE OPPOSE GOD’S PURPOSES THROUGH PRIDE. (Samson)

Remember, Samson is God’s chosen, set apart, deliverer of Israel.

Judges 13:5 “5 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”

God’s man — God’s purpose. Yet as Samson’s life unfolds before our eyes, we find God’s man living for Man’s purpose. Samson is living contrary to God’s purposes for his life.

In our passage, Samson’s pride manifests itself in several different forms.

Judges 15 opens with Samson reaping the consequences of his actions in the previous chapter — *recount 14:19-20.

The first manifestation of Samson’s pride — Revenge.

Pride avevenges.

Samson needed release from his pent up frustration, embarrassment, and foolishness from his failed marriage . Naturally, the Philistines (the nationality of his in-laws) became Samson’s target for destruction. He would make them pay.

Now Samson seems the creative type — through riddles, poems, and creative guerilla warfare attacks.

Samson ties 300 foxes together and efficiently destroys the Philistine’s agriculture. Scripture seems to note that their grain, vineyards, and olive groves were entirely destroyed.

In Samson’s first major confrontation with the Philistines we find Samson acting on behalf of himself instead of God.

One of my goals tonight is to demonstrate how subtle our hearts can be, and the ways in which we oppose God’s purposes.

By holding grudges quietly — "I forgive them... but I’ll never forget."

By using passive-agressive behavior —

By repaying hurt with hurt — even if it’s “small” — "They made me look bad, so I’m going to be extra critical next time they mess up."

Have you ever used the silent treatment with your spouse as a form of revenge?

Pride manifests itself as revenge and this is working in opposition to God’s purposes for our lives.

But here’s where I think we’re more like Samson than we’d like to admit. Samson justified his revenge.

Pride justifies.

Judges 15:3 “3 And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.” — referencing 14:19-20.

Pride always seeks to justify it’s self-centered actions.

If we went around the room tonight and took a poll, we would probably come to a 100% agreement that everyone manifests pride in someway or another.

Christians often justify their pride by disguising it as something good. — this is what Samson did.

Here’s several ways Christians justify their prideful actions:

Even when they bulldoze others, make selfish choices, or act out of ego, they defend it by claiming they meant well — as if good intentions erase bad behavior.

When pride shows up, they dodge conviction by finding someone who seems more arrogant, more selfish, or more obviously sinful — making themselves feel justified.

Instead of owning prideful impatience, rudeness, or harshness, they excuse it as an understandable reaction to a busy or stressful life.

Prideful stubbornness or refusal to listen is sometimes defended as "having strong convictions," when really it’s just pride digging in its heels.

Believers hear me. Pride opposes God! If your heart posture is one of pride, you are living in direct opposition to God.

James 4:6 “6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Here’s a little side note, pride always harms others. Samson’s actions had unintended consequences — the death of his “wife” and her father by fire (15:6).

With Samson’s ex-wife and father-in-law dead, Samson again justifies his self-centered actions.

But verse 7 exposes the third manifestation of pride…

Judges 15:7–8 “7 And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease. 8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.”

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth — seemed to be Samson’s motto.

Revenge was a common motivator for Samson’s run-ins with the Philistines. Yet there’s something even deeper to be exposed here.

Samson’s pride avenged, justified, and now retaliated.

Pride retaliates.

Up till this point, all of the confrontations with the Philistines have been reactive, not proactive. Let’s be reminded of Samson’s purpose once again — “He shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” Samson’s motives for confronting the Philistines were purely self-centered.

In Samson’s second major confrontation with the Philistines we find Samson acting on behalf of himself instead of God.

Samson was not concerned with driving out the Philistines (which was God’s purpose for him) — he was interested in payback. But even worse, Samson was content to dwell with the people God had sent him to drive out. This was not only Samson’s posture towards the Philistines — it was all of Israel’s.

Underlying both Samson’s and Israel’s attitudes towards the Philistines was our second heart posture of those who oppose God’s purposes — Passivity.

POINT #2: GOD’S PEOPLE OPPOSE GOD’S PURPOSES THROUGH PASSIVITY. (Israel)

The book of Judges is the sad recounting of Israel’s degeneration.

Israel was God’s chosen people! Listen to this:

Exodus 19:3–6 KJV 1900

3 And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Passivity blinds.

Yet once we get to Samson, the Israelites don’t even recognize their need for God’s deliverance. We have not yet seen Israel cry out to God for deliverance from their oppressors. They even went so far as to offer up their God-sent deliverer to the very people from whom they needed deliverance.

*recount 15:9-13

Philistines come to Judah looking for Samson.

Israelites get scared so run to get Samson.

Israelites deliver Samson to the Philistines.

Israel was content to live under the rule of the Philistines — vs. 11. Don’t upset the status quo.

But Israel needed deliverance.

*backpacking illustration about Amanda picking me up from trips.

Here’s the question — Have you been so surrounded by our culture that you have been desensitized to sin?

Passivity reflects.

Israel had lost all distinction. Meant to be a witness to the nations of holiness, they now reflect the culture around them. Meant to be separated unto God, they now are separated unto the Philistines. Meant to be ruled by God, they now are content to be ruled by the Philistines.

Their passivity had led them to reflect the culture around them.

Spurgeon, commenting on the Puritan Thomas Manton’s quote — “They are dead fish which are carried down the stream” writes:

Living fish may go with the stream at times, but dead fish must always do so. There are plenty of such in all waters: dead souls, so far as the truest life is concerned, and these are always drifting, drifting, drifting as the current takes them. We can sin abundantly by passively yielding to the course of this world; but to be holy and gracious needs many a struggle, many a tear.

So Spurgeon then asks us all a question — Where then am I?

And so I ask… In what ways do you passively reflect the culture and so oppose God’s purposes for your life?

Do your entertainment choices reflect our culture? Are the shows or movies you watch plagued with foul language, sexual inuendos, inappropriate images, or ideaologies of the culture? Is the music you listen to fueling your desire for God, and encouraging you to “swim against the stream”?

Do your values reflects God’s purposes for your life or the values of our culture? Are you more concerned with knowing Christ through His Word, or researching your investment portfolio? Are you seeking a life of ease and comfort (which our culture prioritizes ) or are you willing to “spend and be spent for others”?

Honestly, passivity can be a gentle word for lazy. Does your laziness oppose God’s purposes for your life?

James 4:4 “4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

God’s people opposing God’s purposes.

Passivity disobeys.

The passive people of God were content to dwell under the rule of those God had called them to drive out. They were commanded to drive all nations out of the land, and the beginning of Judges reveals they did not drive out all of the nations.

Incomplete obedience is disobedience.

Passivity does not seek holiness. It seeks the path of least resistance.

Passivity does not seek to conform culture to Christ. It is conformed by the culture.

Passivity had led Israel to this point in their history and has displayed for us tonight their desperate need for a deliverer.

Here’s the common thread between passivity and pride / between Samson and Isreal — they both seek to please self instead of God.

Passivity seeks a comfortable life instead of a courageous zeal for God and His purposes.

Pride seeks the glory of self instead of the glory of God.

God’s people opposing God’s purposes!

Notice: I’ve been specifically highlight how God’s people oppose God’s purposes through Samson and Isreal. Yet there are other characters in the story who oppose God’s purposes — the Philistines.

Those who oppose God’s purposes will receive God’s judgment. Yet as we’ll see in a minute, God’s heart is not simply to judge but to show mercy and grace.

If you are not a child of God, you don’t have a relationship with God, you stand directly opposed to God and will receive God’s just judgment.

Now here’s the question that I’ve been asking myself all week — Why does the Spirit of the Lord come upon Samson (vs. 14)?

POINT #3: GOD ACCOMPLISHES HIS PURPOSES TO DISPLAY HIS CHARACTER.

Here’s why — God always accomplishes His purposes (in spite of His people) in order to display His character and receive all the glory.

Look at verses 14-20. Here’s several more reasons why Samson should not be used by God.

disobedient (vs. 15 — picked up the jawbone)

arrogant (vs. 16 — play on words poem)

water …

passive (vs. 20 — left the Philistines)

And yet, God chose to continue to give Samson the gift of strength by the power of His Spirit.

Aren’t you thankful that God doesn’t just cast people aside?! But rather chooses to display his character — mercy, steadfast love, and faithfulness.

Why does the Spirit of the Lord come upon Samson? Because Israel needed to be delivered — imperfectly yes. But they needed deliverance.

But here’s the saddest verse in the whole chapter — Judges 15:20 “20 And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.”

Samson was not quite up to the challenge. The people are left in bondage. For the next twenty years, the Israelites lived under Philistine rule. (punishment for their pride and passivity??)

This passage serves as a warning to the people of God. Our pride and passivity oppose God’s purposes for His people.

Turn with me to 1 Peter 2:9-12. Here’s the call to all of God’s people.

1 Peter 2:9–12 KJV 1900

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

APPLICATION:

We’ve been delivered from darkness. We have been separated from what is unholy, and we have been devoted to God.

Here’s the application based on 1 Peter 2:9-12.

Thank God for the gift of his mercy (vs. 10).

Live as citizens of heaven (vs. 11).

Glorify God (vs. 12).

Remember the comforting truth of Judges — God always accomplishes His purposes in spite of His people.