When we look in the book of Hebrews Chapter 11 which is called "The Heroes of the Faith" we see where the Bible lists Samson as a hero of the faith the unknown writer of Hebrews say’s in (Heb. 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ), It is interesting to find Samson’s name listed amongst Giedeon,Barak,and Jepthah, David, Samuel and the Prophets yet when you do a detailed study of the lives of these mentioned it shows the outstanding place that faith had in the experience and service of each. Many of which had personal shortcomings were victoriously overcome as they looked away from themselves to the greatness of God.
Yet such an honor that seems to conflict with the image of Samson in Judges. For example, he was notorious for his involvement with Delilah who was believed to be a prostitute that led to his downfall. Likewise, as a Nazirite he was obligated to refrain from touching a dead body, to abstain from alcohol and other products of the vine, and to avoid the use of a razor.In Judges 14:8 - 9 He clearly violated the first commitment for it reads "And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. 9 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion." Yet verse 19 in the same chapter say’s that the Spirit of the Lord still came upon Samson and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house. In spite of Samson’s foolishness, the Lord empowered him with His Spirit for the purpose of humbling the Philistines and disrupting their domination of the Israelites. In Judges 15:8 we read that after the Philistines had threatened to kill Samson’s wife if she would not get the riddle from him by burning down her house and her father’s house with fire because she had brought this evil upon herself by trying to betray her husband it was Samson who became upset and said in verse 7," Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease. Samson was litterally saying this that though you have done this to them, and thereby shown what you would do to me if you could, yet that shall not deter me from being further vexatious to you.’’ Or, "Though you think, by doing this, you have made me satisfaction for the affront I received among you, yet I have Israel’s cause to plead as a public person, and for the wrongs done to them I will be avenged on you, and, if you will then forbear your insults, I will cease, aiming at no more than the deliverance of Israel.The Bible say’s in verse 8 ," he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter, and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam." We suppose the wounds he gave them to have been mortal, as wounds in the hip or thigh often prove, and therefore translate it, with a great slaughter. Some think he only lamed them, disabled them for service, as horses were houghed or ham-strung. It seems to be a phrase used to express a desperate attack; he killed them pell-mell, or routed them horse and foot. He smote them with his hip upon thigh, that is, with the strength he had, not in his arms and hands, but in his hips and thighs, for he kicked and spurned at them, and so mortified them, trod them in his anger, and trampled them in his fury sa. 63:3. And, when he had done, he retired to a natural fortress in the top of the rock Etam, where he waited to see whether the Philistines would be tamed by the correction he had given them. In Verses 9-15 of the same chapter it say’s " Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi. 10 And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us. 11 Then three thousand men of Judah wentb to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them. 12 And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves. 13 And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock. 14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosedc from off his hands. 15 And he found a newd jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. 16 And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men. 17 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi." Samson violates his Nazirite vow again by touching part of a dead animal. In all likelihood he violated the second which I won’t focus on but the third one he violated by telling her where his strength was which was in his hair and ended up betraying the third in Judges 16:13–17 we read,"And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web. 14 And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web. 15 And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. 16 And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexedg unto death; 17 That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man."
Yet these failures must be put in perspective with the appallingly low moral and spiritual tide of Samson’s day (Judges 13:1 Even though the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.; 21:25 because there were no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.Which is why we cinstantly see in the book of Judges that God would raise up deliverers though Samson was a loner he helped the cause of his people.Even at his death by praying to God for the strength to pull down the roof on his enemies (16:28–30 " And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. 29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. 30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life." Samson judged Israel twenty years.
THE HEART OF THE LESSON
In addition, Samson demonstrated that it is possible to experience the gifts and power of God without the blessing of God. God gives people abilities to accomplish His purposes, but that in no way guarantees that they will seek to know Him or follow His ways. Balaam, for example, was empowered by God to bless Israel, yet his own life remained spiritually bankrupt.Like Balaam there are a lot of people today who are quote “Playing with Fire” If you are pushing past the limits of godliness, watch out! “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29).The Apostle Paul in speaking to the church at Galatia told them I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Gal. 2:21.Many of us if we would be honest have or are aggravating the grace of God.We frustrate the grace of God when we don’t recieve it.( See Notes on "The Frustrated Grace" at Bottom ) God could be sending us a word but how readily do we recieve it?
The man who blessed the Israelites three times ended up bringing a curse upon them—and on himself. The seer Balaam (Num. 31:16) is a tragic lesson in how playing with fire can lead to getting burned.
Balaam played with fire by listening to the tempting offers of Balak, king of Moab (Num. 22:16–17). Balak wanted Balaam to curse Israel. But the priest blessed God’s people three times (23:7–11, 18–25; 24:3–10).
However, Balaam apparently never forgot Balak’s offer. Sometime after returning home, he came up with a clever idea. He himself was forbidden by God to curse Israel; but what if the Israelites brought a curse upon themselves? To cause that, Balaam apparently told Balak to use Moabite women to tempt the men of Israel into immorality and idolatry (25:1–3; 31:15–16).
Israel fell into sin and the “anger of the Lord was aroused,” resulting in a plague (25:3, 8–9). We don’t know what payment Balaam may have received for this plot. But when Israel eventually overran Midian, Balaam was killed as an enemy—despite the previous blessings he had uttered (31:8).
Balaam was not the only one to get burned by playing with fire. Having once again toyed with idolatry, the Hebrews brought God’s wrath upon them, resulting in 24,000 deaths (25:9). Likewise, the Moabites and Midianites suffered militarily at the hands of the Israelites (25:16–18; 31:1–18).
Samson is a sobering reminder that great abilities are not the same as great faith. As Paul pointed out, one can “speak with the tongues of men and of angels” yet live a life of loveless emptiness (1 Cor. 13:1).
Notes on Judges 13:25
The Spirit of the LORD began to move: The Lord began to empower Samson to deliver Israel.Samson was not a judge or deliverer who led the Israelites against the Philistines. He was a loner whose heroic exploits curtailed Philistine invasions and consequently helped the cause of his people. Mahaneh Dan is literally “Camp of Dan.”
Notes on The Holy Spirit at Work in the Book of Judges: The activity of the Spirit of the Lord in the Book of Judges is clearly portrayed in the charismatic leadership of the period. The following heroic deeds of Othniel, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson are attributed to the Spirit of the Lord:
1. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel (3:10) and enabled him to deliver the Israelites from the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia.
2. Through the personal presence of the Spirit of the Lord, Gideon (6:34) delivered God’s people from the oppression of the Midianites. Literally, the Spirit of the Lord clothed Himself with Gideon. The Spirit empowered this divinely appointed leader and acted through him to accomplish the Lord’s saving act on behalf of His people.
3. The Spirit of the Lord equipped Jephthah (11:29) with leadership skills in his military pursuit against the Ammonites. Jephthah’s victory over the Ammonites was the Lord’s act of deliverance on behalf of Israel.
4. The Spirit of the Lord empowered Samson to perform extraordinary deeds. He began to stir Samson (13:25). The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him on several occasions. He tore a lion apart with his bare hands (14:6). At one time he killed thirty Philistines (14:19) and at another time he freed himself from ropes that bound his hands and killed a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey (l5:14, 15).
The same Holy Spirit who enabled these deliverers to do exploits and fulfill the Lord’s plans and purposes is at work today. He desires to move upon His people so that they too can do impossible things. The Lord wants to bring deliverance to His people, and He is looking for consecrated men and women whom He can empower with His Holy Spirit.
*NOTES ON THE FRUSTRATED GRACE
Introduction
Galatians 2:21 presents an interesting, and fearful idea, that the Grace of God can be frustrated. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
God’s grace appeared to all, but not all are saved because some frustrate the grace. For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men. (Titus 2:11). Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14). How is grace frustrated?
By not believing.
Faith is access into grace. Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2).
Many refuse to believe.
Faith comes from the Word of God. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things! But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:12-17).
Some reject the word. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak. (John 12:48-50). Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5:39-40). How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:44-47).
Some have not heard the word.
Therefore, many do not have access into grace.
By trying to be saved another way.
This was the case in our text. (See Galatians 2:21 above.) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (Galatians 5:2-7).
We are saved by God’s righteousness, not our own.
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (Romans 10:1-3). For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17).
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7). For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10).
This does not eliminate obedience. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (Romans 10:16). This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10).
God’s righteousness. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. (Psalm 119:172). For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17). For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (Galatians 5:6). If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15).
But many today try to negate obedience. This frustrates Grace.
Many do not allow the grace of God to work in them.
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21).
All that we do is by Grace. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13).
Preaching. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. (Ephesians 3:8).
Giving. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (2 Corinthians 8:1-8).
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8). All Christian service. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11).
All that we do is because of Christ. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20). For to me to live is the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. (Romans 6:1-6).
Background on The Philistines
The conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines that preceded the birth of Samson (Judg. 13:1) was one of many that occurred between the two peoples throughout biblical history. Probably no other group was as much a thorn in the side of the Israelites as their neighbors along the southwestern Mediterranean Coast in the land known as Philistia.
It is hard to say for sure where the Philistines originated. They were descendants of Noah’s son Ham through his son Mizraim and grandson Casluhim (Gen. 10:13–14). The name Philistines was used by the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses III to describe one of the “sea peoples,” a coalition of invaders which he repelled in a naval battle in about 1188 a.d.
The Bible regularly associates the Philistines with the land of Caphtor, believed to be Crete, and its inhabitants, the Caphtorim (1 Chr. 1:12; Jer. 47:4; Amos 9:7). This is consistent with the view that as the Greeks moved into the Aegean area beginning in about 1500 a.d., the Philistines and other “sea peoples” migrated south and east. Some eventually settled on the southwestern coast of Canaan.
Apparently this migration occurred in two waves. An early Philistine king, Abimilech of Gerar, was known to Abraham and Isaac (Gen. 20–21, 26). By the time of the Exodus, a second wave had arrived and established five principal city-states that made up Philistia: Ekron, Ashdod, Gath, and Ashkelon, and Gaza.
Possessing weapons of iron superior to those of the Israelites, the Philistines hacked away at Israelite territory after the conquest under Joshua. In fact, God used these attacks to discipline His people and to attempt to return them to the covenant (Judg. 3:1–3). But the revivals were usually short-lived. In the days of Eli the judge, the Israelites foolishly carried the ark of the covenant into battle, and the Philistines captured it. The ark was eventually recovered, but the Philistine threat continued for centuries, right up to the fall of Jerusalem in 587 a.d.
