There’s a saying, “a wise man learns from his mistakes, but a very wise man learns from the mistakes of others.”
Today this will be the theme of our devotional. We can learn alot from the misadventures and shortcomings of Samson, and today we will look at a handful of accounts from the book of Judges and glean what we can about how to do life, and also how not to do it. Today I also hope that you will join me in evaluating past and current events in our lives, and reflecting on how we may be mimicking the heart of Samson - and with the end goal of not making the same mistakes as him (remember, the wise man or woman learns from the mistakes of others. 14:3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” Mistake Samson makes: In verse 3 of chapter 4, we see Samson defying sound advice and direction from his parents, choosing what he wanted over what was probably best. Mistake you made or are making: Have you recently received advice from someone that cares about you, or someone you respect that you didn’t follow or are not following? What the Bible says about this: Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. 14:5 Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah Mistake Samson makes: In verse 5 of chapter 14, we see Samson defying his oath as a Nazarite; he’s not supposed to drink any fermented drink - yet he’s going to the vineyards of Timnah. Probably not a smart move if he intends on keeping this oath. Mistake you made or are making: Have you recently headed towards a place or willingly put yourself in a situation that you knew could have negative consequences? Are you currently heading towards something like this? What the Bible says about this Proverbs 7: 1 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. 2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” 5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman, (here the “adulterous woman can be any temptation) from the wayward woman with her seductive words. 6 At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. 7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. 8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house 9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. (notice the setting, the man is seeking out something to tempt him, and naturally temptation will find him.) 10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. [SKIP] 11 (She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; 12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) 13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: 14 “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. 15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! 16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! 19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. 20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.” [END SKIP] (the adulterous woman tempts him with her words) 21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. (sin is always appealing but then...) 22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b] 23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. (sin always leaves us unsatisfied and broken) [SKIP] 24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. 25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. 26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. 27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. [END SKIP] 14:10 Now his father went down to see the woman. And there Samson held a feast, as was customary for young men. 11 When the people saw him, they chose thirty men to be his companions. Mistake Samson makes: In verse 10 of chapter 14, we see Samson gathering with the literal enemy of Israel, being assigned “companions” for his wedding. Mistake you made or are making: Have you recently headed towards a person, or a group of people you knew weren’t the best for you? Are you currently heading towards something like this? What the Bible says about this: Proverbs 1 8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 9 They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. 10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. 11 If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; 12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; 13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; 14 cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”— (bad companions have bad ideas) 15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; 16 for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. 17 How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! 18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! 19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. 15:8 He attacked them viciously and slaughtered many of them. Then he went down and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam. Mistake Samson makes: In verse 8 of chapter 15, we see Samson isolating himself (I’m making this assumption because I don’t think it's the normal move to go to a cave to sleep, unless your Bear Grylls). He is either a fugitive or has no other people he can trust, both a result of the actions that he has taken so far. Mistake you made or are making: Have you ever found yourself making a mistake, and then compounding it by running to isolation -either to avoid consequences, or because of shame, or because of sadness? Are you currently doing something like this? What the Bible says about this: Proverbs 18:1 – A man who isolates himself seeks his own desires; he rages against all wise judgment. Some people live alone because friends and families have abandoned them. Ecclesiastes 4 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 15:18 Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the Lord, “You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” 19 Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. So the spring was called En Hakkore, and it is still there in Lehi. Boss move Samson makes: In verse 18 & 19 of chapter 15, we see Samson doing something great! In need he is turning his attention to the Lord. What the Bible says about this: John 7:37-38 37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them 16:1 One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. Mistake Samson makes: He goes to Gaza. In closing: As humans we are prone to make mistakes. We are prone to wander. We are prone to reject sound advice and instruction, we are drawn to situations that aren’t always for our best - even if we feel like it’s what is best for us at the moment. Samson’s life was a display of these things time after time, and it cost those around him, and ultimately it cost Samson his life. We as people looking back at his life can spot some of the traps he fell into, and we would do well to understand the ways we might fall into them, and how scripture informs us on what we should do.
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3 Things God looks for in people he wants to choose.
The Book of Judges Chapter 131 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years. 2 A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. 3 The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. 4 Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. 5 You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” 6 Then the woman went to her husband and told him, “A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn’t ask him where he came from, and he didn’t tell me his name. 7 But he said to me, ‘You will become pregnant and have a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite of God from the womb until the day of his death.’” 8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.” 9 God heard Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman while she was out in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her. 10 The woman hurried to tell her husband, “He’s here! The man who appeared to me the other day!” 11 Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, “Are you the man who talked to my wife?” “I am,” he said. 12 So Manoah asked him, “When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule that governs the boy’s life and work?” 13 The angel of the Lord answered, “Your wife must do all that I have told her. 14 She must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, nor drink any wine or other fermented drink nor eat anything unclean. She must do everything I have commanded her.” 15 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “We would like you to stay until we prepare a young goat for you.” 16 The angel of the Lord replied, “Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord.” (Manoah did not realize that it was the angel of the Lord.) 17 Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?” 18 He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.[a]” 19 Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the Lord. And the Lord did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: 20 As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. 21 When the angel of the Lord did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the Lord. 22 “We are doomed to die!” he said to his wife. “We have seen God!” 23 But his wife answered, “If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this.” 24 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, 25 and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol. Sampson gets a lot of the recognition. He’s the one in the children's coloring book going ape on a lion, he’s gets all the shine during dating sermons at churches, he’s the character with the prestige television like story arc. But Sampson - for all his notoriety was honestly a terrible Judge, and we learn alot from his misadventures and shortcomings, more so than his actions and example of faith. Instead, today I want to focus on a beautiful story, one I think is even more powerful than that of Sampson - and that is the one of a man of Zora, Manoah, and his wife who remains unnamed in the story. And I want to answer 1 question today: What type of people does God choose? And before I even start speaking … site a minute and think through that question.... A quick recap of the Book of Judges: 3:7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord 3:12 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord 3:15 Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord 4:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord 6:1 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord 10 6 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord Finally 13:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord As we jump into Judges 13 and Israel is continuing their ongoing cycle of rebellion, a cry for God’s mercy, and God’s incredible display of patience. And even as the nation of Israel is in their downward spiral we see this couple display 3 important qualities of people that God seeks and God uses to fulfill his purposes. Verse 8: Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us” Manoah and his wife may not have even understood what the calling God had on their life was fully, but we see here their response was of obedience. They sought to know what it was that the messenger wanted for them to do, and to learn how to do it. We have some evidence and examples of the life of a Nazerite, and their lives now included at least the sacrifices of habits and diets - and probably more likely included holistic dedication to a new cause for their lives. I can’t even go without dairy for a week even though I'm lactose. What type of person does God use? I firmly believe God wants to use people ready to be instructed and led to doing the good things he has in store for them. Verse 10: The woman hurried to tell her husband, “He’s here! Twice the messenger shows up, and both times Manoah’s wife drops what she is doing to go tell her husband that the messenger was there. This shows an incredible amount of hospitality, and reverence. We see several examples of an urgency in hospitality in Scripture
How often do we drop what we are doing for others? How often do we drop what we are occupied with when God shows up in our lives? I watched a hallmark movie last night, and (synopsis) there was a guy who met this girl at a Christmas festival - they hung out for 6 hours, then I guess when he needed to show up and seal the deal, he bailed on her because he had his own thing going on. 28 years later they meet each other again; there’s tension, there’s hijinks, and strangely a hashing out long overdue build up of feelings. Ultimately he’s presented with another opportunity to leave the now fully grown woman who’s holding onto the memory of their Christmas festival encounter from 3 decades ago, and this time he makes the right choice not to take the photography job in Alaska, but instead stay with the woman - and fall in love I guess? Much like the generic male actor from the Hallmark movie, I firmly believe God wants us to drop our own agendas, priorities and preferences to help others around us. And I believe if we become a people who learn to be hospitable, we will find love (just kidding - it's literally 2:21am) What type of people does God use? I firmly believe God wants to use people who drop their own agendas, priorities and preferences - so they can be vessels of relentless desire to service others. Verse 15: Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “We would like you to stay until we prepare a young goat for you.” I am not sure if this one is going to stick out, but we’ll see. I can’t stop reading this phrase , “we would like you to stay.” It’s very close to the previous hospitality idea, but yet so different. It’s as if now that the guest is there, they understand the value of them being there, and now they want to, in reverence, respond in whatever way they can. It's different from hospitality, but strangely similar. In the same hallmark movie, the guy character was so so enamored by the lover he had spurned 28 years ago. He spends a full 2 hours doing everything to get her back. Today, we don’t offer sacrifices like Manoah and his wife, but we can offer our lives. When’s the last time you thought about your life - not just your time, or resources, or skills - But yourself? - I’m talking about your emotions, and desires, your actions - as something that should be offered up on the altar for God.. What type of people does God use? I firmly believe God uses the type of people who are ready to place their own lives on the altar so God’s name can be praised. Alright - So what type of people does God use? “I beg you God to come again to teach us.” People who are ready to be instructed and led - Desperately looking to God for direction on what to do. “Hurry when you are here” People who are ready to be hospitable - Drop their own agenda for the chance to serve. “We would like you to stay until we can place something on the altar for you.” People who are willing to sacrifice - Ready to be “set apart” - there’s a Nazarite analogy or something here but, I’ll leave it alone for now. |
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