Judges 16
Judges 16 is a familiar story to many people. The focal point of this chapter is Samson’s relationship with Delilah, but there is much more in this chapter.
I believe two events in chapter 14 are key to understanding the fullness of chapter 16. First, in Judges 14:3, Samson wanted a wife because “she was right in his eyes.” Much of our American culture has been built around the idea of “right in his own eyes.” In that moment, Samson made a decision that he was right more often that God was right.
Be careful, lest we fall into the same trap!
Second, in Judges 14:8, Samson came in contact with a carcass, which was a direct violation of his commitment to God. I am a firm believer that saying no to God means that we say yes to Satan. Equally, saying yes to God means that we say no to Satan. As Samson walked away from his commitment to God, he invited a new set of rules (from Satan) to occupy his life.
We ought to be careful that we do not give room for a new set of ungodly rules to occupy our life.
In Judges 16, we find four intentional actions that show Samson invited and accepted the new rules in his life.
Intentional sexual sin. Verse 1 records that Samson saw a prostitute and went in to her. They were not meeting for coffee. Samson was looking for a prostitute and new exactly what he was doing. We might not go that far with our sexual sin but not building strong boundaries on our thoughts and natural senses is the same intentional sin. Be strong and courageous that we do not fall into the trap that Satan sets for us every day!
Intentional boasting. Verse 3 records that Samson was surrounded and went to the city gates, pulled them out, put them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of a hill. Pure intimidation. Trash-talking. A boastful reminder that he was capable of more than they were. I think all of us have struggles with pride and thinking more of ourselves than we should. If we didn’t, Jesus wouldn’t need to remind us to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Intentional deception. There was deception and fraud on both side of this chapter. Deception is a form of manipulation that is meant for us to gain something and another person to lose. It is very difficult to raise the name of Jesus high when I am trying to raise the name of Chris high. Insert your own name!
Intentional lying. Sometimes we like to call lying other names like, mistruth, withholding the whole truth, a little white lie, etc. We make this attempt, so we feel less guilt or shame about the lie we chose to tell. Samson lied about the answer three times. In the end, his lies and his love couldn’t dwell in the same relationship. The truth had to come out eventually. I want us to remember that the truth wins. Always. The truth always wins over time. Samson learned that lesson the hard way.
I want to remind us Samson’s hair was not the source of his strength. God was the source of Samson’s strength. Samson lost his strength because he did not rightfully acknowledge God as the source.
Finally, it is interesting to me that the Philistines honored their false god because they believe Dagon provided the win. Samson was the leader of Israel and didn’t acknowledge God’s provision in his life until the end. Finally, at the end, Samson humbled himself and called upon the Lord.
As you go through today, be a person who regularly acknowledges God’s provision in your life. Be a person who avoids intentional sin. Be a person who works hard to live by what is right in God’s eyes and not your own eyes.