Charles W. Holt
email: cholt@gt.rr.com
SAMSON’S MARVELOUS RIDDLE
Judges 14:1-18
Samson’s quick wit and prankish nature unexpectedly yield a gem of stunning insight. It is a masterpiece of encouragement and hope for times when life gets crazy, seemingly out of control; when one is fighting to survive and the big question is: Why?
Many miss it because it is couched in his carefully crafted riddle. He intended to confuse, puzzle and mystify. It worked too. It worked so well that the 30 young men who played Samson’s game of "guess my riddle" were so desperate by week’s end they resorted to menacing measures to get the answer. Under the duress of death from her Philistine countrymen Samson’s fiancee feigned such emotional agony until he reluctantly gave her the solution, which she quickly passed along.
This occurs within the setting of a gala week-long celebration in anticipation of the marriage between Samson and a young woman in the Philistine village of Timnath. Recently he had experienced success in overcoming a deadly adversary. He turned that event into an opportunity to challenge the 30 young men, who were appointed to be his groomsmen, to pit their wit against his. The game required them to find a solution to his cleverly concocted riddle. They agreed to his rules and asked him to recite his riddle. Samson said,
"Out of the eater came something to eat,
And out of the strong came someting sweet"
(Judges 14:14 NKJV).
The encouragement and hope found in the riddle can best be appreciated when seen as the centerpiece of its large-as-life setting. Consider these things:
I. SAMSON’S RIDDLE WAS BORN OUT OF HIS LIFE EXPERIENCE.
It was born out of his confrontation and clash with a powerful opponent. He struggled against a strong foe that challenged his person and purpose. It was born out of threat to his physical life--born out of pain and distress.
He stared hatred in the face. He saw eyes burning with fierce anger. He heard the roar of a raw beastly nature that, had it been words, would have sent a blistering message intended to incite a sense of worthlessness and depression. He wrestled with this beast. Smelled its foul breath. Experienced the pain from tooth and claw.
Scripture teaches us to, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pt. 5:8 KJV).
Troubles, trials, disappointments, heartaches, physical and mental infirmities -- all may present themselves as "roaring lions." We are reminded of Paul’s exhortation that 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" (Eph. 6:12 KJV). James tells us: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (Ja. 4:7 KJV).
II. SAMSON WAS DOING GOD’S WILL WHEN THE ATTACK OCCURRED.
His mother and father were dismayed that he desired a Philistine woman for a wife. "But his father and mother did not know that it was of the LORD--that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at this time the Philistines had dominion over Israel" (Judges 14:4 NKJV). Whether rational or irrational to anyone else (ourselves included),the day Samson set his foot on the path toward Timnath he was walking a road ordained by the Lord. He was in God’s will.
"In God’s will" does not guarantee freedom from assault by the adversary nor secures a painless passage through this life. It does not insulate or make us immune to "the wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:11). Because one struggles with pain, sorrow, disappointment and affliction does not necessarily indicate that one has missed God’s will.
III. THE ATTACK OCCURRED SUDDENLY
"Now to his surprise, a young lion came roaring against him" (Judges 14:5 NKJV). Healthy and spiritually minded people do not go around looking for trouble. They don’t wake up in the morning expecting trouble to come roaring after them before noon or even later. At the same time, healthy and spiritually minded people know it is possible that such a "surprise" may be around the next bend in their life’s road. In reality one is as apt to be "surprised by grief" as well as "surprised by joy."
IV. THE ATTACK WAS FROM AN AGILE FOE.
A "young lion" roared against him. The animal was in the prime of life. Nimble. Spry. The threat posed was real. It was a situation that could not be easily dismissed by the wave of a hand. Simply ignoring the problem with a dose of positive thinking was not a good choice.
Samson’s lion was determined to do one thing
--devour. Jesus said, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (Jn. 10:10). Jesus said, "I am come that you might have abundant life."
-- Satan destroys.
-- Jesus restores.
When Samson faced his lion he did what Peter exhorts us to do when we face ours. Peter says, "whom resist stedfast in the faith" (1 Pt. 5:9 and see James 4:7).
V. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME MIGHTILY UPON HIM (vs. 6).
One should never underestimate the Holy Spirit’s willingness to give assistance in a time of crisis. It may be strength to "tear the lion apart" (vs. 5) as Samson did. On the other hand, it may be the ability to endure "a great struggle with sufferings" (Heb. 10:32 NKJV) or, become "valiant in battle" (Heb. 11:35 NKJV). The manner or the method of victory should be of little concern. It is sufficient to know that our Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is a present help in the time of trouble (see Ps. 46:1).
VI. SAMSON HAD A ROLE TO PLAY.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him" (Jd. 14:6 NKJV). The Spirit of the Lord came upon HIM (Samson), and HE (Samson) tore the lion apart. Samson was not a spectator on the sidelines watching in delighted amazement as the Spirit of the Lord brought victory. He was actively involved in the clash. It can be a serious mistake to try to rule out one’s personal participation in the conflict. We have a vital role to play in full cooperation with the Holy Spirit’s promised enablement.
VII. HIS RIDDLE IS A TESTAMENT TO HIS TRIUMPH.
The riddle comes from a survivor, a victor. It has conviction and validity because it is spoken by an overcomer who has struggled and won. It is not a homespun philosophy contrived by one sitting in the shade reflecting on the beauty of nature. It is a psalm of praise, an anthem of thanksgiving of one who faced down a death-dealing foe. It is also a triumphant testimony of untold numbers who, like the Apostle Paul, have fought unto vicotry, "the beasts of Ephesus" (1 Cor. 15:32) or, with the champions of Hebrews 11, "who...stopped the mouths of lions" (vs. 33) and have likewise experienced Samson’s riddle.
VIII. THE "AFTER SOME TIME" EXPERIENCE (Jd. 14:8,9 NKJV).
To understand the beauty and meaning of the riddle one must read it in the light of verses eight and nine. After a lapse of time, Samson returns to the scene of conflict and finds, "a swarm of bees and honey were in the carcass of the lion. He took some of it in his hands and went along, eating. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they also ate."
You have just gone through (or may be in) one of the most dreadful struggles of your life. Emotionally your inner self may be in shreds from the conflict. The lion that suddenly roared against you may have been more formidable than ever imagined; you may have been taken by surprise at a particularly vulnerable moment; the conflict lasted much longer than you ever thought you could have endured. Weeks may have passed and you are still shaking. You may still be dazed from the struggle as you nurse your bruises. Right now you are convinced that nothing good can ever come from what has happend to you.
Samson’s riddle is a beacon of hope. It speaks directly to what has just happened to you. "After some time" he went back to the scene of his life and death struggle and found sweetness and strength for himself AND enough to share with others. Such is the Lord’s purpose of allowing "young lions" to suddenly, unexpectedly, roar against us while we are moving in the will of God along our road of life.
His riddle speaks specifically to this issue: "out of the eater (comes) something to eat. Out of the strong (comes) something sweet." OUT of the eater; OUT of the strong--out of the circumstance, situation, or event that tries (or tried) to "eat you alive" God creates a uniquely sweet and refreshing opportunity to renew strength and thus renew hope.
It may take some time but the day comes when one may in memory, if not physically, return to the scene of struggle and conflict and eat the honey from "the beast" that sought to destroy. Don’t be surprised, however, upon returning to find a possible sting or two. A swarm of bees remained in the carcass of Samson’s lion. You may find a few lurking within your lion as well. It is worth contending with a few bees to reach the refreshing and life-sustaining honey that is surely there.
Now, take a new look at your conquered "eater," a new look at your defeated "strong." Out of your eater take the meat. Out of your strong take the sweet. Make Samson’ riddle your own triumphant song of faith--for now or later.
