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April 4th
Today’s Bible reading is in Judges chapters 13,14,15.
The cycle of sin, and bondage, and repentance, and deliverance, in the life of Israel, is seen once more in our reading today. 40 years in duration...Israel under the cruelty of the Philistines.
The next judge was born at the beginning of this cycle...his name: SAMSON...another favorite Bible character in the story and study of God...
This God-made leader was chosen and set apart for this mission from before he was born. His mother was barren with no prospects for a child when the Angel of the Lord came to her. He told her “that she would bear a son”. He told her that her son would be “a Nazarite from the womb” and be “prepared to deliver” Israel from the Philistine bondage.
Let me take an aside for just a moment...At this point, I am reminded of other women in the Biblical record that experienced God for special intervention in the bearing of a child. Sara, the wife of Abraham...couldn't have children... until a visit from the Angel of the Lord...soon Isaac was born.
Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, couldn't have children...until a visit from the Angel of the Lord...soon Samuel was born.
Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, couldn't have children...until a visit from the Angel of the Lord...soon John the Baptist was born.
And then there was MARY, a virgin, who had not consummated her betrothal, did not have children until a visit from the Angel of the Lord...soon Jesus was born.
Samson and his mother were a part of a very unique club. Mothers and sons who played a decisive role in the coming of the Messiah.
Back to the text. Samson was to be a Nazarite from birth till death. It was not unusual for men of Israel to devote themselves to God for a particular time and work. But it was unusual for an Israelite man to be a Nazarite vowed man for his entire life. “The Angel of the Lord” declared it for Samson. Oh and that special angel in brilliance of glory with the name Wonderful...that was Jesus...The ETERNAL DELIVERER!
Wow, the whole Bible is about Jesus...well, He is the Word from the beginning...no wonder people say “He’s better”!
So what does it mean to be a Nazarite believer? Will you give me another minute?
No cutting of Samson’s hair...Devoted to God’s authority...to God’s will, not his own. No drinking of wine...Devoted to the joy of the Lord, rather than to the artificial entertainments of men. No touching a dead body...Devoted to life in the Spirit of the Lord rather than to life in the flesh and the world.
So what about the exploits of this super-strong Samson? Something about a jaw bone of a donkey?
Well, that’s the rest of the story...Enjoy.
Have a great day
