Familiar Stories; Deeper Meanings: Samson & Delilah: Jud. 16:4-31

I. Samson’s Continuous Playing with Sin vs. 4-14

A. Samson was constantly playing with sin. A Nazarite wasn’t suppose to have anything related to grapes/or alcohol, could not cut hair or trim beard, and avoid dead bodies. Samson had broken all of these at this point except cut his hair.

B. Samson had married and divorced a Philistine, slept with prostitutes, and now another Philistine woman.

C. You would think that Samson would figure something out, but it was just a game for him. Sin will make you stupid. You will think you can handle it, when no one else can. Pro. 6:27-28

Proverbs 6:27–28 NASB95

Can a man take fire in his bosom And his clothes not be burned? Or can a man walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched?

D. Samson took God’s grace for granted. He abused it, and didn’t realize that Yahweh punishes those He loves. Heb. 12:6-8

Hebrews 12:6–8 NASB95

For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.” It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

E. Often we play with sin, by being complacent and not changing for God’s glory. “What does a lukewarm Christian look like today? We go through the motions. We know how to say and do all the right things, and we know the bad things we’re not supposed to do, but there’s no yarning to be with God and leverage our lives for His mission. No passion. No life. Lukewarm Jesus followers are Christians who keep God at arm’s length so they can continue doing what they like best and maintain control over their lives.”- Vance Pitman

II. Samson’s Continuous Weariness with Strength vs. 15-20

A. Delilah wore Samson down. It took time, but she did it.

B. Temptation won’t stop until you flee or give in.

C. Samson didn’t realize that Yahweh had departed him. What we take for granted isn’t missed until it’s too late. (Churches ex)

III. Samson’s Continuous Morning Over Failure vs. 21-31

A. Samson lost his physical sight long after he lost his spiritual sight.

B. Samson had the job of an ox or donkey to further humiliate him.

C. “His hair grew with his repentance, and his strength with his hair”- John MacArthur

D. Samson died a repentant man. What could he have done had he been serious about his walk with God? He only judged 20 years and died young.

E. What could we do, if we got serious about what God would have us do? Would we realize if the Spirit departed this place?