Judges 14-15

Introduction

1. Let’s turn in our Bibles to Judges 14.

2. Have you ever done something that made you feel like your walk as a believer is off track?

a. Maybe you think, why did I say that?

b. Possibly you might say to yourself in frustration, why did I do that?

c. We all wrestle with this old nature that constantly tempts us to act contrary to the gospel.

3. How can I live the gospel in a greater way?

4. We are continuing in our study of Judges.

a. In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).

b. I mentioned last week that we were beginning a 3 part study of the life of Samson.

c. Last week, we say the commencement of Samson’s ministry – the God is at work even when it cannot be seen.

d. Tonight, we are the continuation of Samson’s ministry as he begins to deliver the nation from the Philistines.

e. Next week, we will look at the conclusion of Samson’s ministry.

5. How can I live the gospel in a greater way?

I. Samson lived below his call by defying, defiling, and disregarding God’s call.

A. Samson defied his parents in seeking to marry a Philistine.

1. Samson’s defies his parents.

a. Samson’s order (14:1–2): Samson notices a Philistine girl in Timnah and tells his parents to make arrangements for him to marry her.

b. The parents’ objection (14:3) : Samson’s parents try to convince Samson to marry an Israelite girl. Samson says no.

c. The Lord’s ordination (14:4) : This marriage is part of the Lord’s plan to free Israel from Philistine oppression.

2. We can get into some real trouble denying the authority structures in our lives.

a. We defy our parents.

b. We defy our spouses.

c. We defy our pastor.

d. We defy governmental authorities – sometimes even occupational authorities.

e. As Ravi Zacharias said concerning marriage, “If we are to go against our parents wishes, we better be doubly sure it is God’s will for us!”

B. Samson defiled his body as he performed many might acts.

1. Samson defiled his body even though God was gracious to him.

a.  The ripping apart of the lion (14:5–19): As Samson travels to Timnah, a lion attacks him, but he kills it with his bare hands. Later, Samson passes by the lion’s carcass and notices that bees have made honey in it.

b. The riddle of the honey (14:10–20)

2. Samson was defiled his body taking a little honey from a dead carcass.

a. Honey is good, but do we need to get defiled to get some honey.

b. Many of us are willing to reach into the dead carcass of this world with movies, books, magazines, etc hoping to get a little honey to satisfy our appetites.

C. Samson disregarded God’s warnings.

1. Samson disregarded God’s warnings when he cried out to God in exhaustion after killing the Philistines.

a. The ruin of the grain (15:1–8)

b. The rage of Samson (15:7–8): In retaliation for the death of his wife and her father, Samson kills many Philistines.

c. The raid of the Philistines (15:9–20): Continuing the cycle of retribution, the Philistines raid the town of Lehi in Judah.

·        There is a play on words in Samson’s poem: “With the jawbone of an ass, I have piled them in a mass.”

·        Samson prays and God provides water – only two prayers: here and when he is blinded and mocked in the Temple of Dagon.

d.. Samson continues as a Judge for 20 years with no details

2. We can disregard God’s warnings in the circumstances in our lives.

a. Samson did not have an ear to hear God’s voice in circumstances.

b. We need to sharpen our ears to hear God’s voice in our circumstances.

·        He may warn us with a benign tumor or another medical situation.

·        He may warn us with a near miss in a car or other accident.

·        He may even warn us in someone else’s experience; are you listening?

II. How can we live up to our call as followers of Christ?

A. Samson was one who did not live up to his call.

1. He arrived with unbelievable promise through the angel.

2. He lived under the Spirit with undefeatable power.

3. Yet, Samson defied his parents, defiled his body, and disregard God’s warning

Transition: We are sometimes tempted to defy, defile, and disregard, yet we can live above that.

B. How can we live up to our call as followers of Christ?

1. We all wrestle with the flesh that we seek t control us (Romans 7:15-8:1).

2. We can live up to our call by seeking to walk in the Spirit so not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

a. Whatever you feed and decide to yield to will dominate your life.

b. Spiritual growth is not passive process; be diligent to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who is not ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

Conclusion

1. Samson lived below his call by defying, defiling, and disregarding.

2. We can live up to our call as we seek to walk in the Spirit rather than walking in the flesh.