SCRIPTURE: Judges 14
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” (His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.) [Judges 14:3-4]
This passage exposes the sinful character of Samson: desiring a Philistine wife, contact with the carcass of dead lion, drinking at the wedding feast (the word for feast is literally “place of drinking”), murdering the 30 Philistines for their clothes – all contrary to his Nazirite vow.
But what is really interesting here is that the Lord uses Samson’s flaws to provoke the Philistines, to set Israel free.
God uses Samson’s sin to accomplish His purpose!!!
Is he then responsible for his actions?
‘Do you refuse to speak to me?’ Pilate said. ‘Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’ Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’ [John 19:10-11]
Jesus points out that His arrest and impending crucifixion were made possible by God, He gave Pilate and Judas the power to do what they did.
But they are still responsible for their actions – Judas more than Pilate.
Is this fair???
How can God blame them if He ‘willed’ them to do it?
Who can resist God?
It seems to me that God uses our sinful nature and choices for His purpose; He doesn’t make us do something against our will, but directs our sin (which we do for selfish reasons) for His eternal purposes.
Samson was driven by lust, Judas by greed and Pilate by pride – God did not make them that way.
I make foolish choices everyday.
I am often selfish, lustful, greedy, proud.
I can’t blame God for this, its my nature, my choice.
But thank God His grace is greater than my sin.
God uses my weakness, directing my sin towards His good purpose: restoring His creation, rescuing His children, overcoming sin and defeating the devil.
Through Judas’ and Pilate’s sin, God gets the victory through the cross and resurrection!
This passage leads me to explain, “amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.”
Amazing mercy, that He does not treat us as our sins deserve.
This passage does not lead me to sin, so that God can use it.
No way, sin is bad, hateful, hurtful, I must run away from it!
But when I do sin, I know that God can use even my failures to bring about a good end.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for overcoming my sin with Your goodness!
Samson was to be set apart for service, but . . .
All that he was to be, in this chapter of Judges we read how he went His own way, fulfilling his own desires and not walking with His God. He didn’t even listen to his parents instruction. It certainly doesn’t sound like the early days of his youth where the Spirit of the Lord was upon him.
The students I teach choose their actions but I give the consequences of their actions. The same is true for parents and their children. So it is with God. I choose and . . . God is all powerful to use my choice for His purpose. His grace at work in me but also His grace at work in the world today. God is the Ruler yet. He is in control and His will will come to pass. He used Samson’s waywardness to defeat the Philistines. He uses me in my present state His purpose to fulfill.
I serve a risen Saviour and I must walk with Him today.
I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today;
I know that he is living whatever men may say;
I see his hand of mercy; I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need him, he’s always near.
Chorus:
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask my how I know he lives?
He lives within my heart.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing.
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the king!
The hope of all who seek him,
The help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.