Out Of The Strong Something Sweet

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you easily sidetracked and confused by other things rather than focus on GOD's calling in your life?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To teach those who are sidetracked and easily confused to focus on the LORD JESUS alone.

IV. TEXT:

Judges 14:14 (Amplified Bible)

14:14 And he said to them, Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not solve the riddle in three days.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for because of Your own Divine effort I always renew my mind according to Your WORD, always fixing my eyes upon You and I only take delight in the LORD.

VI. TITLE:

Out of the strong something sweet

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: unknown, but tradition attributes it to Samuel

B. Date written: 1086 - 1035 B.C.

C. Purpose: To review Israel's history following the conquest and prior to the Monarchy; and to demonstrate the consequence of sinful rebellion, in spite of God's repeated gracious provision of political and spiritual leaders.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

D. To whom written: The nation of Israel

E. Main Theme: The History of Israel during the times of the fifteen judges.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

F. Key word: Apostasy

G. Key verse: Judges 17:6 (Amplified Bible)

17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Out of the eater came forth food

"And he said to them, Out of the eater came forth food,"

Samson is like the lion that he killed. The LORD was leading him to know his life here on earth, as devourer, hunter, killer and eater of the Philistines. Samson's purpose in life is to make war with the Philistines. So in his riddle, he was the eater which later on brought food to his enemies, the Philistines. Samson was a prophet in essence as implied because he was prophesying about his life here on earth.

Like Apostle Paul was imprisoned because of the gospel, but Apostle Paul saw these things not an disadvantage but in fact an advantage and benefit for the Philippian believers, he mentioned that his imprisonment was served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the spreading of the Gospel.

Philippians 1:12 (Amplified Bible)

1:12 Now I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel).

Samson was sidetracked because of the deceiving beauties of the harlot: Delilah and was not able to accomplish his full purpose in life, that was total destruction of the Philistines. For Delilah had reduced Samson to a piece of bread.

Proverbs 6:26 (Amplified Bible)

6:26 For on account of a harlot a man is brought to a piece of bread, and the adulteress stalks and snares [as with a hook] the precious life [of a man].

Proverbs 7:10 (Amplified Bible)

7:10 And behold, there met him a woman, dressed as a harlot and sly and cunning of heart.

Stay away from people or things that will hinder you in accomplishing your total purpose in life. Stick with GOD's WORDs, what it said is what you will be. It's important what we think about ourselves and how we think, therefore, always and consistently renew our minds so we know who we really are based on what and how GOD thinks about us.

Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible)

12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Proverbs 23:7 (Amplified Bible)

23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. As one who reckons, he says to you, eat and drink, yet his heart is not with you [but is grudging the cost].

Stick with what the WORD says about you and not the world.

B. Out of the strong came forth sweetness

"and out of the strong came forth sweetness."

Judges 14:18 (Amplified Bible)

14:18 And the men of the city said to [Samson] on the seventh day before sundown, What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion? And he said to them, If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle.

Judges 16:31 (Amplified Bible)

16:31 Then his kinsmen and all the tribal family of his father came down, took his body, and brought it up; and they buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial place of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel [that is, had defended the Israelites] twenty years.