Judges 15 v. 9 - 20 v. 15 "He found a new jawbone" "with what did Samson arm himself to fight against the Philistines?" he tapped his jaw with one finger. "The jawbone of an ass." 1. The Warning v.9 Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi. 1. The Power of the enemy - "came in like a flood" - went up 2. The Persistence of the enemy "pitched in Judah" - wouldn't leave 3. The Posture of the enemy - "spread themselves" 4. The Purpose of the enemy v. 10 "why are ye come up?"And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us. 2. The Weapon v.15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. (A) It's Simplicity Moses' rod delivered a nation from Egypt (Exodus 4:1-9), Five smooth stones felled the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17), A handful of meal and a jar of oil sustained a widow through years of famine (2 Kings 4:1-7), Five barley loaves and a couple fish fed a multitude (Matt 14:13-21), The jawbone of an ass in Samson's hand killed a thousand Philistines (a) A dead weapon - "I live, yet not I but Christ" deny self - take up your cross , (b) A dedicated weapon - not corrupted - still moist (c) A despised weapon - e.g. as David's sling & stone (d) A deadly weapon - and slew a thousand men therewith (B) Its Necessity - he found it, i.e. needed something (C) Its Availability - not a sword, but it was available (D) Its Authority - Samson took it, therefore sanctified & special (E) Its Efficency - slew a thousand men 3. The Warfare 15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
1. Our PLACE in Spiritual Warfare (v. 12). a. Our Struggle is Real.10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. We could translate that "From now on brothers and sisters…" b. Our Struggle is Personal. Notice the word "wrestle" or "struggle" It means hand to hand combat, mano a mano, the Spanish would say. c. Our Struggle is Supernatural. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood That’s why v. 10 says we are to "be strong IN THE LORD and in THE POWER of His MIGHT." d. Our Struggle is Against Powerful Enemies. but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places e. Our Struggle has Serious Implications. First, Satan is terribly powerful. 1 Jn.5:19: And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. John 12:31. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Eph.2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. In Rev. 9:11, he is described as "Abaddon" ("a bad one") and in Greek as "Apollyon." Both words translate as "destroyer." Second, Satan is terribly evil. Third, Satan is terribly cunning. V. 11 speaks of the "wiles" or schemes of the devil. methodia – methods, strategies. Let’s look at 3 of his schemes:
Scheme #1: DIVERSION. The devil is a master at hiding behind the scenes. When he attacks us we often don’t even realize that it is him… we blame others, circumstances, etc... Scheme #2: DIVISION. His motto is divide and conquer. Scheme #3: DECEPTION. 2 Cor.11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2. Our POWER in Spiritual Warfare 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. a. The Enemy defeats us when We rely on our own Power. b. We defeat the enemy when We rely on God’s Power. 1 John 4:4 says, Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Remember the scene in Ex.7 when Moses and Aaron went before the Pharaoh. Aaron threw the staff down and it became a snake. Pharaoh’s magicians did the same thing. Snakes galore. Then God’s snake ate up all the others! Jesus ultimately defeated Satan at the cross! Col.2:14-15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. That’s a picture of a Roman victory parade! At the name of Jesus, the hosts of hell quiver. James.2:19 says, "The demons believe and tremble!" Martin Luther wrote of that in A Mighty Fortress is our God:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great and armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.
3. Our PROTECTION in Spiritual Warfare 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. a. Our Protection Requires Putting on the Armour of God. b. Our Protection Requires Making a Stand. This is a military term that refers to holding a critical position in a battle… making a stand. "Soldier, your battle exists between these two marks. Your sole task is to defend your 24 inches of battleground. Don’t worry about everything and everyone else. That’s my job. Don’t worry about the whole battle, that the brass’ job. You just worry about your 24 inches, that’s your battlefield." Rom.16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
4. The Worship 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.
