Samson: Wrongly Trusted In His Own Strength Lesson 7 Series

A. THE BIRTH OF SAMSON

1. From the weak unlikely tribe “of the Danites” (Judges 13:2)

2. A Nazarite from birth (13:7), i.e., separated to God. (Numbers 6:1-13).

a. Can’t cut hair.

b. Can’t touch a dead body.

c. Can’t drink wine (fruit of the vine).

3. God’s call. “He shall begin to deliver Israel . . . Philistines” (13:5).

4. Samson’s strength, physical, and the spirit of the Lord.

5. Samson’s weakness, the flesh, i.e., woman problem.

6. “The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him” (14:6, 19; 15:4)

a. Killed lion with bare hands.

b. Killed 30 men for clothes.

c. Killed Philistines, hip and thigh (15:8).

d. Killed 1000 with jawbone.

e. Destroyed temple and 3000 men.

B. DELILAH: JUDGES 16:4-21

1. Fleshly attraction. “Loved a woman” (16:4).

2. Delilah and lords knew Samson’s weakness. “And the lords . . . said to her, ‘entice him’” (16:5). Enemy knows your weaknesses.

3. Why? Her love of money and his love of sex.

4. First, bind me with green vines; second, bind me with new rope; third, bind my hair in loom.

5. Law of gradual enticement, slowly getting to the secret of his strength, slowly breaking down.

a. Resistance.

b. Self-imposed road blocks.

c. Fear of danger.

6. Some are tantalized by sexual dangers.

7. Dangerous game these lovers play. She topped Samson’s deception with her own deception.

8. God loves symbols; strength was not in hair, but in God. Hair was a symbol of strength.

9. Are you breaking God’s symbols?

a. God’s house, i.e., attendance, baptism, etc.

b. Tithe.

c. Baptism.

d. Lord’s Table.

10. Samson was spiritually blinded before physical blindness. “Put out his eyes” (16:21).

Sin binds (v. 7, 11, 13)

Sin blinds (v. 21)

Sin grinds (v. 21)

C. SAMSON: THE ENIGMA

1. He lost God’s presence. “He wist not that the Lord was departed from him” (16:20).

2. He allowed the world to rejoice in the fall of God’s man. “When the people saw him (Samson) they praised their god” (v. 24).

3. He allowed the world to make fun of fallen hero. “Call for Samson … he may make us sport” (v. 25).

4. His worst sin: self-indulgent pleasure that violated God’s Word.

5. His worst pain: self-inflicted punishment that glorified the enemy.

6. His worst weakness: self-deceptive ignorance that leads away from his calling.

7. His greatest strength: not his physical power, but his faith in God in an age of national doubt and apostasy. “What more shall I say? Time would fail me to tell of . . . Samson . . . having obtained a good report through faith” (Hebrews 11:32, 39).

8. What is the main lesson to learn from Samson?

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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