Observations:
(1) v.9-17
The Philistines went up and invaded Judah. The men of Judah went to complaint to Samson.
v.11b “Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? Why have you done this to us?”
They even handed Samson over to them to have peace with them v.12.
“We have come down to take you prisoner so we can hand you over to the Philistines.”
The point is, these men were blind and cannot see that Samson was their deliverer. They were so used to be ruled over by the Philistines. They never thought about to fight back.
Reflections: Are we so used to be ruled over by sin and never thought about we have victory in Jesus Christ?
(2) v.14b-17
But the LORD’s spirit empowered him
In Judges, the Spirit of the LORD always related the power to fight for Israel 6:34, 11:29, 14:6, 14:9, 15:14. The last 3 appearance were related to Samson. It did not mean that Samson had any spiritual character, but God empowered him to fight.
(2) v.18 The first time Samson prayed to God.
“You have given your servant this great victory. But now must I die of thirst and fall into hands of the Philistines?”
a. First he acknowledged the power came from God and thus he called himself a servant. With only a piece of jawbone of a donkey, not even a proper weapon, he killed 1000 men. Even his fellow country men did not dare to fight against the Philistines Samson won a great victory.
b. He complaint that he would die of thirst. He was exaggerated because his next complain was he would fall into the hands of the Philistines when he became weaken by thirst.
Reflections: With the power of God Samson accomplished the unthinkable. However, even when he acknowledged that there is nothing change in his life. Are our hearts harden like Samson? Do we like to exaggerate our difficulty and complaint? With our new church building almost finish do we still complain about what difficulties may lay ahead of us?
(3) Samson named the place where he killed 1000 men, Ramath Lehi (means “Height of the Jawbone.”) v.17 and he named the spring En Hakkore (Spring of the one who cries out.”) v.19.
From both of the names Samson only thought about himself. He mentioned his weapon, "the Jawbone," and he was "the one" who cries out. He could name the place of battle, God is the victor, or the spring, God answered my prayer. Samson's naming was far away from these.
Reflections: Do we acknowledge God in our life? Are we self-absorbing like Samson?
Audrey
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