Judg 14:1-2 | KingComments | STEP | In this chapter the history of Samson begins. This history is divided into two parts. Both parts are concluded with the remark that he has judged Israel twenty years ( ). In his history, we learn that God’s aim, which is put forward in Judges 13, and practice, are two different things. We also see, in a living illustration, how close strength and weakness are to each other. It is not about having a life without difficulties, but about having the strength to overcome them. No one is without struggle. Someone can be strengthened by struggle, but also suffer defeat. This struggle can be caused by conflicts with parents, brothers or sisters, fellow believers. Struggle can also be the result of inner conflicts as a result of failure. The question is how we respond to it. We will never find complete ideal living and working conditions. We can think that if things were different around us, we could prove what we are worth. With Samson we see how he becomes powerless again and again because he is not able to say ‘no’ to the temptations around him. Sometimes he also seeks out these temptations himself. That is where even his history begins with. The first step someone takes on the way in the service of God is characteristic of the continuation. If it is a wrong step, the bad consequences will not be failing, especially if someone continues on that wrong path. The first step is the way to all the other steps. That is why it must be set in the right direction. Jonah is a telling example of this. God instructs him to go to Nineveh to preach there, but he is going in exactly the opposite direction. The result is that he gets into great difficulties and brings those difficulties over others as well ( ). You never go the way away from God alone. You always take others with you. We see this here too, with Samson. He draws his parents along on his willful, wrong way. Samson’s first step may be outwardly in the right direction. It would have been a good step if he had gone to Timna to drive out the Philistines from there. However, his actions make clear that he did not go to Timna to fulfill a command from God, but that he is driven by his own desires. There he actually falls in love with someone who belongs to the enemies of God. He is getting it done to connect himself with the enemies of God’s people. From this we can learn how attractive something or someone can be of which or of whom God’s Word clearly says that we should not connect with it. We are no better than Samson. The Philistines, as has already been said, represent a system of so-called Christian thinking that can be understood by the natural, not born again human being. These are ideas that generate many followers in professing Christianity. They caress the flesh, it is pleasant to listen to or watch. A simple example can be seen in the beautiful buildings that have been built which are called the ‘house of God’, in which beautiful music, with which the service is enlivened, must tickle the ear. All this can make a big impression and seem attractive, it can increase the prestige of the religion. What the Philistines represent is to apply to everything people have thought up to beautify the serving of God. Such, purely human, inventions have the effect of making the Christian faith so attractive that even not born again people want such a belief. At least they can feel comfortable with this. Those who fall in love with such things, fall into the trap in which Samson has fallen. This is a spiritual lesson we can learn from this. There is also a practical lesson to be learned. If a young man wants to serve the Lord, it is important that he does not make any connections that will hinder him in this service. Therefore every step has to be done in prayer for guidance. This applies especially to the choice of the wife with whom he wants to serve the Lord. She must belong to God’s people and have the same faith and obedience. She must also have the same mind. Samson’s connection to the enemy makes it impossible for him to testify against it. Women play a fatal role in his life. He has had three. They represent the devil’s snares. The devil knows exactly where the most powerful believer is weak, because everyone has a weak spot. Therefore, a powerful believer must also be constantly aware of this weakness. Only then he really is strong ( ). Timna means ‘allocated part’. Samson leaves his own inheritance to seek one with the Philistines.

‏ Judges 14:1-2

Introduction

In this chapter the history of Samson begins. This history is divided into two parts. Both parts are concluded with the remark that he has judged Israel twenty years (Jdg 15:20 ; Jdg 16:31). In his history, we learn that God’s aim, which is put forward in Judges 13, and practice, are two different things. We also see, in a living illustration, how close strength and weakness are to each other. It is not about having a life without difficulties, but about having the strength to overcome them.

No one is without struggle. Someone can be strengthened by struggle, but also suffer defeat. This struggle can be caused by conflicts with parents, brothers or sisters, fellow believers. Struggle can also be the result of inner conflicts as a result of failure. The question is how we respond to it. We will never find complete ideal living and working conditions. We can think that if things were different around us, we could prove what we are worth. With Samson we see how he becomes powerless again and again because he is not able to say ‘no’ to the temptations around him. Sometimes he also seeks out these temptations himself. That is where even his history begins with.

First Contact of Samson With the Enemy

The first step someone takes on the way in the service of God is characteristic of the continuation. If it is a wrong step, the bad consequences will not be failing, especially if someone continues on that wrong path. The first step is the way to all the other steps. That is why it must be set in the right direction. Jonah is a telling example of this. God instructs him to go to Nineveh to preach there, but he is going in exactly the opposite direction. The result is that he gets into great difficulties and brings those difficulties over others as well (Jn 1:1-15). You never go the way away from God alone. You always take others with you. We see this here too, with Samson. He draws his parents along on his willful, wrong way.

Samson’s first step may be outwardly in the right direction. It would have been a good step if he had gone to Timna to drive out the Philistines from there. However, his actions make clear that he did not go to Timna to fulfill a command from God, but that he is driven by his own desires. There he actually falls in love with someone who belongs to the enemies of God. He is getting it done to connect himself with the enemies of God’s people.

From this we can learn how attractive something or someone can be of which or of whom God’s Word clearly says that we should not connect with it. We are no better than Samson. The Philistines, as has already been said, represent a system of so-called Christian thinking that can be understood by the natural, not born again human being. These are ideas that generate many followers in professing Christianity. They caress the flesh, it is pleasant to listen to or watch.

A simple example can be seen in the beautiful buildings that have been built which are called the ‘house of God’, in which beautiful music, with which the service is enlivened, must tickle the ear. All this can make a big impression and seem attractive, it can increase the prestige of the religion. What the Philistines represent is to apply to everything people have thought up to beautify the serving of God.

Such, purely human, inventions have the effect of making the Christian faith so attractive that even not born again people want such a belief. At least they can feel comfortable with this. Those who fall in love with such things, fall into the trap in which Samson has fallen. This is a spiritual lesson we can learn from this.

There is also a practical lesson to be learned. If a young man wants to serve the Lord, it is important that he does not make any connections that will hinder him in this service. Therefore every step has to be done in prayer for guidance. This applies especially to the choice of the wife with whom he wants to serve the Lord. She must belong to God’s people and have the same faith and obedience. She must also have the same mind.

Samson’s connection to the enemy makes it impossible for him to testify against it. Women play a fatal role in his life. He has had three. They represent the devil’s snares. The devil knows exactly where the most powerful believer is weak, because everyone has a weak spot. Therefore, a powerful believer must also be constantly aware of this weakness. Only then he really is strong (2Cor 12:10).

Timna means ‘allocated part’. Samson leaves his own inheritance to seek one with the Philistines.