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SAMSON (X)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Judges 15:9-13

Proverbs 30:11-14, 20

 

“…to him that knoweth to do good,

and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

 

SAMSON (X)
 
Samson’s encounter with the men of Judah in today’s passage gives us a glimpse of the extent of the Philistine oppression. The preceding events might have come to the attention of the men of Judah: the burning of the harvest by Samson, the killing of the Timnite family, and Samson’s slaughter of the Philistines. News travels, and if the Philistines heard what had happened and gathered themselves against Judah, Judah would also have heard. Yet there is no indication of the men of Judah finding some form of hope or drawing courage from what one man was able to do.
 
“And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us?…” (Judg 15:10). The response of the Philistines to this question is testimony to the effect of Samson’s feat. The gathering of an army worried the men of Judah. Why an army to pursue one man? The men of Judah, out of fear of their oppressors sought to deliver Samson into the hands of the Philistines. Their question to Samson is very telling: “Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us?” (Judg 15:11). The fear of man is indeed a snare. The men of Judah could not see past their fear to seize the opportunity that God had presented to them through the acts of Samson. Samson permitted them to bind him, having secured their word that they would not turn on him to slay him themselves. This time it would be one man’s battle against a powerful oppressor.
 
What a sad picture when men of God persist in their sorry state and fail to see God beginning to move in their midst. There were three thousand men and not one voice of concern about delivering Samson bound to the Philistine oppressor. Instead, their response was an acceptance of their oppression and a pointing finger at Samson. “What is this that thou hast done unto us?” (Judg 15:11). There was no evidence of hope, only acceptance of their slavery. How many having their senses dulled by the world and their eyes blinded would be satisfied with the status quo and the reign of sin in their lives? Some would even get angry and turn against any who try to waken them up out of their slumber.
 
THOUGHT: Compromising for the sake of convenience is sin.

PRAYER: (“He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through.”)

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