Day 82 of the podcast, reading Judges 13-16 NET, read along at:
https://netbible.org/bible/Judges+13-16/
This is day 82 of our journey.
Today we read what is probably the most famous story in Judges, the story of Samson. Samson was set apart as a Nazarite from birth but, as we read about his tumultous life, we see that this vow was merely empty words as he lived wholeheartedly to serve his own desires. Three different times, he chose a Philistine woman rather than finding an Israelite to marry as God had commanded. Each time, it brought trouble for him. Despite every selfish failure, God used Samson's poor decisions to bring a confrontation with the Philistines. In the end, Samson's choice of Delilah resulted in his captivity. Ironically, it wasn't until his great strength was stripped away that Samson found his greatest victory. At the cost of his own life, Samson was empowered by the Lord to destroyed the temple of Dagon; killing the Philistine leaders and over 3000 men and women. Even in this mighty death blow, Samson's purpose didn't seem to be the glory of God, but rather his own vengeance for the suffering they had caused him. Imagine what greatness he might have performed if he had been focused on making God's name great, rather than fulfilling his desires!
Join me in Judges 13-16 to read the tragic story of Samson and his misused power.
Key verses:
Judges 13:24
Manoah’s wife gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The child grew and the Lord empowered him.
Judges 14:2
When he got home, he told his father and mother, “A Philistine girl in Timnah has caught my eye. Now get her for my wife.”
Judges 15:16
Samson then said,“With the jawbone of a donkey I have left them in heaps; with the jawbone of a donkey I have struck down a thousand men!”
Judges 16:28
Samson called to the Lord, “O Sovereign Lord, remember me! Strengthen me just one more time, O God, so I can get swift revenge against the Philistines for my two eyes!”
All Scriptures are from the NET.
