When LIGHT is conquered by Darkness -
I. INTRODUCTION
The Bible tells us that as we believe and follow Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world, we have become lights of the world (Mat 5:14). As we follow the Lord Jesus, we shall not walk in darkness, and shall have the light of life (John 8:12). More than that our path will be like the light of dawn “that shines brighter and brighter until the full day” (Prov. 4:18).
The question we will answer today from God’s Word is, “how come many believers are not shining and worse, they seemed to have been conquered by darkness?” Let us turn our Bibles to Judges 16 and we will, through the life of Samson, learn three things, namely –
1. Reasons why the Darkness conquered the Light (Judge 14:1-16:20)
2. Results when Darkness conquered the Light (Judges 16:21-27)
3. Redemption when Darkness conquered the Light (Judges 16:28-31)
Why Study Samson? In the Book of Judges, there were two most prominent Judges, namely Gideon and Samson, 3 chapters were devoted to Gideon but 4 chapters to Samson. Samson was a very INTRIGUING CHARACTER to study. He was physically strong but he was morally weak. If Solomon was the WISEST FOOL, Samson was the STRONGEST WEAK. But why Samson? And what can we learn from him? There are many spiritual similarities between Samson, the Israelites and the followers of Jesus Christ.
1. Like Israel, Samson was born by special divine providence.
Israel’s origin was traceable to BARREN WIVES, namely –Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel. Samson came from a couple, the wife of which was barren (13:2-3). We too are born by special providence, remember John 1:11-13; 3:3
2. Like Israel, Samson had a calling from God.
Even before Isaac and Jacob were born, their birth from barren mothers were already prophesied. They will be blessed like their father Abraham, and through them ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH WILL BE BLESSED, their descendants who are later called Israelites, like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob BELONG TO GOD, and WILL LIVE FOR GOD.
As a sign of that covenant relationship, Israelites were circumcised, “In the promised land, Israel God’s chosen people are called to be God’s army and loyal citizens of God’s emerging kingdom” (NIVSB, 325).
Samson, Like Israel, had a calling from God even from the womb (13:4-5, 14), His birth did not come by accident, it was providential. From his annunciation, we know that He would be a Nazarite to God from birth (13:5a) until his death (13:7), SEPARATED or DEDICATED. He will deliver Israel from Philistines, their lords for forty years (13:5b,1). As a sign of that, no razor may be used on his head (13:5).
No wonder, her mother named him Samson, His name was derived from a Hebrew word which means, SUN or BRIGHTNESS Samson would be a shining hope to God’s people who were experiencing oppression from their enemies in his time.
We too according to 2 Pet 1:9 are, “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” We have a calling to become ambassadors of the Lord in our world (2Cor 5:17-20), and as a sign we are baptized.
3. Like Israel, Samson was blessed by God (13:24).
Although a small nation. Israel defeated nations much larger, more equipped and experienced in warfare than them. Imagine under Joshua, Israel defeated at least 31 kingdoms (Josh 12). The secret of Israel’s UNIQUENESS, STRENGTH and VICTORY was the fact that God was present in their midst. He went before them and fought with them. God’s Spirit enabled men to accomplish feats of victory in the Lord’s holy war against the powers that threatened His kingdom.
Samson was blessed by God (13:24). His best-known blessing was his superhuman strength. Many have attributed Samson’s strength to his long uncut hair, it has basis by the way (see 16:9, 15-19). However, like Israel, it was the Spirit of God who was the real source of his strength (13:25; cf. Judge. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 1Sam 11:6-11; 16:13; also Num 11:25-29; 24:2; 1Sam 10:6,10; and of course, Zech 4:6; 1John 4:4). As a results of the Spirit’s empowering Samson was able to tear a young lion with bare hand (14:5-6), he killed 30 Philistines (14:19) and he was able to get our bondage (15:14).
We too are richly blessed by God (Eph 1:3; 1Pet 1:3-5). And one of our greatest blessings in Christ is the gift of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who was giving Samson His strength was poured out on the church (Acts 2) to empower the people of God to become witnesses and lights of Jesus to the world.
IN SUMMARY, as long as Samson, Israel, and Us are faithful to God’s calling, we will be UNDEFEATABLE, No foe, no matter how strong, could defeat us. No wonder God’s people of old can declare like Psalm 27: 1-3.
The Lord is my light and my salvation: Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war rise against me, I shall still be confident.
However in chapter 16:21-25, we hear the bad news, Samson was DEFEATED BY HIS ENEMIES, how come, SAMSON, the man consecrated to God from the womb, the anointed deliverer of God, the man who had superhuman strength, was treaded down by his enemies? How come many SAMSONS in our day, who have consecrated themselves to the Lord, who are gifted by God with gifts and opportunities are now wallowing in the mud of DEFEAT? How come instead of becoming VICTORS IN CHRIST, they are LOOSERS?
We will discuss everything on our next meeting. I hope that all of you are present so that we can continue the important lessons that God wanted to impart us through the life of Samson.
God bless!
