Judg 15:13 | KingComments | STEP | After the great stroke that Samson inflicted on the Philistines, it is now their turn to take revenge. It is Judah who has to pay in return for what Samson did to them. In addition to the direct cause for the Philistines to rise, this action can also be applied spiritually. When Samson has taken his place of separation in the cleft of the rock of Etam, the enemies become active. A faithful Christian is much more a target of the enemy’s attacks than someone who does not take his life as a Christian so seriously. The men of Judah inquire about the plans of the Philistines. They are told that they have come to bind Samson. The Philistines always aim to bind the Nazirite. In its spiritual application, this is always one of the enemy’s most important goals. In professing Christianity it even happened to the Holy Spirit: He is restricted. Even worse than what the Philistines plan is Judah’s attitude. Apparently they no longer suffer under the rule of the Philistines. The yoke no longer presses because they have reconciled to it and accepted it. They blame Samson for bringing them into such a conflict with the enemy, who is so kind to them. They come to him with the words: “Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us?” ( ). That low Judah has sunk. Judah means ‘praise’, ‘one who praises God’. Isn’t it mind-boggling that the tribe with such a name expresses itself in such a way? This speaks of a complete acceptance of clericalism and traditionalism. The religion in which the flesh has a greater or lesser say has become general. This is the case in professing Christianity everywhere where the distinction between clergy and lay people has become an established fact; where the service is determined by one man or a select group; where proposals are dealt with democratically; where worship, the service of praise, takes place along predetermined lines. Anyone who reads well will see that this not only applies to certain ecclesiastical directions, but also applies equally to all kinds of other religious communities. It is not only in the official structure, although the characteristics there are most recognizable. It also applies to places where, although no structures exist officially, certain structures do exist as a result of ingrained habits. To be perfectly clear, I am talking about the characteristics of a system, official or unofficial, and not the people who are part of it. Fortunately, there are many sincere Christians who serve God devotedly, but are not aware of the evil attached to such systems. It is God’s grace when He sends a deliverer, like Samson here. But Samson is experienced as a troublemaker. Anyone who denounces all kinds of carnal things that have been given a place in personal or communal service to God will be told that he is going against the prevailing rules and forms. For example, he is told that he should not be too extreme. The lukewarmness is justified. Instead of making themselves one with their hero and getting rid of their common enemy, the men of Judah align themselves with the Philistines and unite with their goal. They have no appreciation whatsoever for the judge given to them by God. Here Judah does not show the dignity of the blessing Jacob pronounces on him ( ). In the history of Judah are more of such low points ( ). Samson does not want to fight his brothers, however deep they may have sunk and how much they essentially align themselves with their enemy. In the same way, we must not fight against our brothers, but against the principles that imprison them and with which they have even reconciled. Samson asks for an assurance that they will not attack him, otherwise he will be forced to defend himself with all the consequences for the Judeans. He is guaranteed that this will not happen. All they want to do is bind him fast with new ropes and deliver him into the hand of the Philistines. What is happening here is truly astonishing. The men of Judah choose the side of the Philistines and are working to execute the plans of the enemy! Samson must be kept from his vocation at all costs. New ropes are, according to them, the appropriate means for this. As an application, we can say that committed Christians are being persuaded, especially by new, popular, human means, to give up their Nazirite occupation. The word for ropes comes from ‘braiding’ and reflects the idea it is a human product. Samson lets himself be bound and gives in to their wishes, because he does not want to use his strength, or abuse it, by fighting against his people.

‏ Judges 15:13

The Philistines and the Men of Judah

After the great stroke that Samson inflicted on the Philistines, it is now their turn to take revenge. It is Judah who has to pay in return for what Samson did to them. In addition to the direct cause for the Philistines to rise, this action can also be applied spiritually. When Samson has taken his place of separation in the cleft of the rock of Etam, the enemies become active. A faithful Christian is much more a target of the enemy’s attacks than someone who does not take his life as a Christian so seriously.

The men of Judah inquire about the plans of the Philistines. They are told that they have come to bind Samson. The Philistines always aim to bind the Nazirite. In its spiritual application, this is always one of the enemy’s most important goals. In professing Christianity it even happened to the Holy Spirit: He is restricted.

Even worse than what the Philistines plan is Judah’s attitude. Apparently they no longer suffer under the rule of the Philistines. The yoke no longer presses because they have reconciled to it and accepted it. They blame Samson for bringing them into such a conflict with the enemy, who is so kind to them. They come to him with the words: “Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us?” (Jdg 15:11). That low Judah has sunk. Judah means ‘praise’, ‘one who praises God’. Isn’t it mind-boggling that the tribe with such a name expresses itself in such a way?

This speaks of a complete acceptance of clericalism and traditionalism. The religion in which the flesh has a greater or lesser say has become general. This is the case in professing Christianity everywhere where the distinction between clergy and lay people has become an established fact; where the service is determined by one man or a select group; where proposals are dealt with democratically; where worship, the service of praise, takes place along predetermined lines.

Anyone who reads well will see that this not only applies to certain ecclesiastical directions, but also applies equally to all kinds of other religious communities. It is not only in the official structure, although the characteristics there are most recognizable. It also applies to places where, although no structures exist officially, certain structures do exist as a result of ingrained habits.

To be perfectly clear, I am talking about the characteristics of a system, official or unofficial, and not the people who are part of it. Fortunately, there are many sincere Christians who serve God devotedly, but are not aware of the evil attached to such systems.

It is God’s grace when He sends a deliverer, like Samson here. But Samson is experienced as a troublemaker. Anyone who denounces all kinds of carnal things that have been given a place in personal or communal service to God will be told that he is going against the prevailing rules and forms. For example, he is told that he should not be too extreme. The lukewarmness is justified.

Instead of making themselves one with their hero and getting rid of their common enemy, the men of Judah align themselves with the Philistines and unite with their goal. They have no appreciation whatsoever for the judge given to them by God. Here Judah does not show the dignity of the blessing Jacob pronounces on him (Gen 49:8-12). In the history of Judah are more of such low points (Gen 37:23-28 ; Gen 38:1-26).

Samson does not want to fight his brothers, however deep they may have sunk and how much they essentially align themselves with their enemy. In the same way, we must not fight against our brothers, but against the principles that imprison them and with which they have even reconciled.

Samson asks for an assurance that they will not attack him, otherwise he will be forced to defend himself with all the consequences for the Judeans. He is guaranteed that this will not happen. All they want to do is bind him fast with new ropes and deliver him into the hand of the Philistines. What is happening here is truly astonishing. The men of Judah choose the side of the Philistines and are working to execute the plans of the enemy!

Samson must be kept from his vocation at all costs. New ropes are, according to them, the appropriate means for this. As an application, we can say that committed Christians are being persuaded, especially by new, popular, human means, to give up their Nazirite occupation. The word for ropes comes from ‘braiding’ and reflects the idea it is a human product.

Samson lets himself be bound and gives in to their wishes, because he does not want to use his strength, or abuse it, by fighting against his people.