Text: Hebrews 11:32-34; Judges 14
Title: The Dichotomy of a Drifting Samson (Saint)! - Part 2
Proposition: Although Samson was predestined to be a deliverer of Israel, his life decisions caused him to drift away from the determined purpose and plan of God, into personal destruction. We will be doing a dichotomy = a step by step examination of how a saint drifts away from God!
G) Preventative?
I read something that was very helpful….I would like to share with you.
Forerunner Commentary - Worldliness has been described as the love of beauty without a corresponding love of righteousness. This comes right out of the “original sin” story that is told in Genesis 3:6.
Forerunner Commentary -Eve saw that the fruit was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and something to be desired. These references concern the appeal of beauty. Unfortunately, as the record clearly shows, Adam and Eve did not love righteousness.
Forerunner Commentary - The love of beauty and the pulls of temptation are inextricably entwined. People do not ordinarily desire ugly things. We have been made by Almighty God to love beauty … the problem is that we do not have a corresponding love of righteousness.
Forerunner Commentary - Like Adam and Eve, we may break the laws of God in order to have what we consider beautiful. Sometimes people commit vicious evils to have what they find appealing and beautiful at the time.
Forerunner Commentary - The result of having a love of beauty without a corresponding love of righteousness? Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden, the most beautiful spot on earth… This is a seriously simple, and powerful lesson!
Ok, now that we will look at something amazing….
III. Samuel’s Commentary!
On what we read thus far, it is captured in one verse! What does Samuel have to do with it?
A) Samuel?
1. Most scholars agree that Samuel is the author of the book of Judges.
2. He gives a one verse commentary (verse 4) on what we have read thus far.
3. This is the reason why it is in parenthesis, it is an insertion.
Judges 14:4 (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.)
a) Point?
b) Perspective!
i. God’s Sovereignty!
Bruce Hurst -We clearly see the mystery of God's sovereign purpose being worked out even in the midst of man's waywardness. Human freedom, including our poor sinful choices does not undermine or derail the sovereign workings of God.
Bruce Hurst -This is not implying that God condoned Samson's rebellion. He is saying that God was going to overrule in this situation for a good purpose. God never condoned the sins of this young man.
Warren Wiersbe - "When God isn’t permitted to rule in our lives, He overrules and works out His will in spite of our decisions. Of course, we’re the losers for rebelling against Him.
c) Proof?
i. Scriptural:
Ephesians 1:11b who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will -KJV
Romans 8:28 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose -NIV
i. Yes, but Samson wasn’t showing much love for God?
Romans 8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose. -ASV
ii. God’s plan and purpose for Samson’s life, whether he loved Him or not, was to confront the Philistines!
iii. God was going to fulfill that purpose thru his life even by sovereignly weaving together the mishaps and missteps of Samson to accomplish his will!
Romans 9: 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”-NIV
Adrian Rogers - In the chemistry of God, He takes things that, in and of themselves, are bad, and He puts them together, much as a chemist might take chemicals that, in and of themselves, may be deleterious and mixes them to make a medicine that brings healing.
Adrian Rogers – Take table salt as an example. It is made up of both sodium and chloride. By itself, sodium is a deadly poison, and so is chloride. Put them together, and you have table salt. Salt flavors food, and a certain amount of salt is necessary for health and life. We cannot live without some salt in our systems.
Adrian Rogers - God can take things that are bad and put them in the crucible of His wisdom and love. He works all things together for good, and He gives us the glorious, wonderful promise that He will do so.
iv. Even the betrayal of Judas!
Matthew 26: 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” -NIV
Acts 1:16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus -ESV
Acts 1:20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.” -NIV
Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.=NASB
Anyway let’s continue on with….
IV. Samson’s Capabilities!
A) Capability?
1. To do grievous and great things!
2. Divine and dumb!
3. Sinful and spiritual!
Judges 14:5a Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother.
Judges 14:5b As they approached the vineyards of Timnah,
B) Case:
1. What is a Nazarite doing in a vineyard?
2. Samson is a series of contradictions!
Judges 14:5b suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him.
Oh oh, what was Samson going to do?
3. It is not what Samson’s going to do, but what God is going to do!
Judges 14:6a The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him…
C) Capable of?
1. Unparalleled feats of strength!
Judges 14:6b so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat.
D) Consider:
1. A lion can weigh anywhere from 330 to 550 pounds.
2. A lion can run for short distances at 50 mph and leap as far as 36 feet.
3. A lion delivers up to 400 pounds of force with a swipe of its paw.
a) If you tried to “high-five” a lion, the force of it’s paw would instantly dislocate your shoulder and shatter the bones in your hand.
b) If it missed your hand and hit your head, it would probably break you skull and neck!
4. A lion delivers 936 pounds of force with its bite
a) That is enough to break every and any bone in your body!
6. But in Samson’s case, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him so powerfully he killed a lion with his bare hands!
E) Caricature?
1. Scriptural picture it paints?
2. Supposedly - all Christians!
a) We have an adversary!
1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. - NIV
b) We have an Advocate
John 14: 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.. -NIV
John 16: 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.-NIV
1 John 4:4b greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
Psalm 91: 13 You will walk upon the lion and cobra, You will trample the young lion and the serpent. 14 “Because he has loved Me, I will save him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
F) Catastrophe?
1. Though Samson was empowered by the Spirit, he lived a life dominated by the flesh!
V. Samson’s Coverup!
Judges 14:6b But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done.
A) Why?
1. Wouldn’t he be proud of what he did?
a) No!
2. He was where he shouldn’t have been – A vineyard in Timnah
3. Touching what he wasn’t supposed to touch – A dead carcass!
VI. Samson’s Carnality!
Judges 14:7a Then he went down ….
Judges 14:7b and talked with the woman, and he liked her. -NIV
A) Reason?
Judges 14:7 So he went down and talked to the woman; and she looked good to Samson.-NASB
1. Again – “THE EYES HAVE IT!”
B) Result?
Judges 14:8a Some time later, when he went back to marry her,
1. Betrothal
a) Usually a ten or twelve month period would elapsed between the engagement and the ceremony and consummation of the marriage.
b) During this time the betrothed bride remained with her parents, getting ready for the wedding.
C) Rebellion!
1. He married outside of the REVEALED will of God!
VII. Samson’s Confectionary/Candy!!
A) Confectionary?
1. A dish or delicacy made with sweet ingredients
B) Candy!
1. Something that is pleasing or pleasurable usually in a superficial way!
C) Continuation:
1. Pattern:
Judges 14:8b he turned aside
1. Again!
Judges 14:8c to look …
2. Again!
a) Ready to fall prey again to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life!
Judges 14:8c at the lion’s carcass,
b) A dead thing!
c) Looking can lead to touching!
Judges 14:8d and in it he saw a swarm of bees and some honey.
c) What did he do?
i. At the risk of being stung, he stuck his hand in a dead carcass!
a. SOMETHING HE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO DO!
Judges 14:9a He scooped out the honey with his hands and ate as he went along.
ii. Defiling himself agaIn, he was a Nazarite remember?
Judges 14:9b When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it.
iii. Defiling them also!
Leviticus 11:27 Of all the animals that walk on all fours, those that walk on their paws are unclean for you; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening. 28 Anyone who picks up their carcasses must wash their clothes, and they will be unclean till evening. These animals are unclean for you.
Judges 14:9b But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion’s carcass.
a) Why?
1. Obviously because he it was forbidden by God’s law!
b) What is the point?
1. Samson is establishing a pattern!
2. HE IS SCOOPING HIS “PLEASURES” OUT OF THAT WHICH IS DEAD!
3. HIS “CANDY” WAS THE “PLEASURES” OF SIN!
Hebrews 11:25 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
a) This pattern developed into a habit that will show itself to be disastrous in his life!
i. It all catches up with him 20 years later, when a meets a woman named Delilah!
c) Principle?
1. The path, or direction, of a drifter, if not repented of…
2. And can prove to be disastrous!
3. Determines destination.
a) Temporal
b) Eternal
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
1. Desire– “Lust” can be an amoral word, in scripture either good or bad.
a) Desire- ?p???µ?a? (epithymias)
i. Eagerness for, inordinate, evil desire
b) But it , if we are not careful, we can be…
2. Drawn - Away
a) Lured away -??e???µe??? (exelkomenos)
i. Enticed
ii. A hunting term, as when an animal is baited into a trap.
3. Enticed -de?ea??µe??? (deleazomenos)
a) To allure, entice (by a bait)
James 1:15a Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
4.“Sin” is taking the bait of temptation.
a) And if you bite the bait:
James 1:15b and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
5. Death
a) The devil will have you for dinner!
1 Peter 5:8b for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
VIII. Sacred/Sensible Conclusion:
A) Sinful perspective:
1. God is against pleasure!
a) WRONG!
B) Scriptural perspective:
1. Sin’s pleasure is only for a season.
2. God’s?
Psalm 16 (NIV)
1 Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.
2a I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
Psalm 16:4a Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
Psalm 16 (NIV)
5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Psalm 16:8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
3. Eternal pleasures not only have to do with duration but depth!
a) Eternal life begins the moment you receive Christ!
i. Eternal life had not only to do with quantity but quality!
John 10:10 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).- AMP
C) Sincere plea?
1. How do you find that pleasure?
Psalm 19:9b The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
Psalm 19:10b They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 11 By them your servant is warned;
Psalm 119: 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
2. PLEASURE IS FOUND IN LIVING LIFE GOD’S WAY!
a) Adultery?
Proverbs 5:3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;
i. No honey in that!
Proverbs 5:5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.-KJV
b) Honey is not found in adultery, or sexual immorality, honey is found in MANOGAMY!
Song of Solomon 4: 11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon. 12 A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
Proverbs 5:18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer-- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love -NIV
c) Honey is not only found in MANOGAMY, but also in HONESTY AND PRODUCTIVITY!
Proverbs 9: 17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.- KJV
Ecclesiastes 5:12a The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much
Proverbs 20:17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.-NIV
APPEAL:
1. Doing life God’s Way?
2. Delighting in God’s Word?
Revelation 10:10a I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth,
3. Drifting?
