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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