Samson Heb 11 32 34 Introduction Samson A

Samson Heb 11: 32 -34

Introduction • Samson: A man of faith? ▫ Certainly a man of strength ▫ Certainly a warrior ▫ But he lived such a sinful life Not really a “role-model” So why is he listed with great men of faith like Abraham, Noah, Moses and David?

Samson’s story • The Philistines had been oppressing Israel for 40 years (Jdg 13: 1) ▫ This was due to the Israelites own sins ▫ They wouldn’t allow Israelites to own iron Prevented them from making good weapons

Samson’s story • An angel appears to Manoah’s barren wife- Jdg 13: 3 -5 ▫ Announces the forthcoming birth of a son ▫ The son would be a lifelong Nazirite Must not drink any grape or alcoholic product Must not eat anything unclean Must not cut his hair ▫ The boy would “begin to deliver Israel” from the Philistines

Samson’s story • Jdgs 13: 25 – 14: 4 ▫ Samson chooses a Philistine wife Samson’s only reason is she is beautiful God uses Samson’s desire to further His own plan God didn’t force Samson into wickedness

Samson’s Story • Jdgs 14: 5 -6 ▫ Samson and parents go to meet the woman ▫ Samson kills a lion along the way Does so by tearing it apart (not choking it) • Later at time for wedding, Samson finds the carcass ▫ Bees have formed a hive within ▫ Samson eats of the honey The honey would be unclean because touched a dead body

Samson’s story • Samson held a seven day feast for the wedding ▫ Samson offers a riddle (Jdg 14: 12 -13) ▫ The men threaten Samson’s wife if she doesn’t get the answer She whines and begs Samson finally gives her the answer ▫ Samson knows how they solved the riddle So he kills 30 Philistines and gives their clothes to the men who “solved” the riddle It’s the first blow against the Philistines See how God is using Samson

Samson’s Story • Samson went home without his wife ▫ Brought a goat when he came back to her ▫ Her father had already married her off to another ▫ Samson uses 300 foxes to destroy the grain ready for harvest and the vineyards and olive groves An economic blow to the Philistines

Samson’s story • Philistines inquire about the burning ▫ Kill Samson’s wife and father by burning ▫ Samson again enraged (Jdgs 15: 7 -8) He struck them “ruthlessly with a great slaughter” No body count but certainly into the hundreds due to later comparisons Another blow by God against the Philistines ▫ Samson wanted to quit and hide afterwards But God wasn’t done with him

• The men of Judah ask Samson to surrender ▫ They were afraid of reprisals from Philistines • Samson surrenders and is delivered to the Philistines bound with 2 new ropes • Jdgs 15: 14 -16 ▫ Uses donkey’s jawbone (unclean) ▫ Kills 1, 000 men The blows of God against Philistines are getting more powerful (Jdgs 15: 18)

• Jdg 15: 20 – Samson judged Israel for 20 yrs ▫ Likely to have been some skirmishes with Philistines during that time ▫ Or perhaps Philistines decide to back off for a time • Now story jumps ahead those 20 years ▫ Samson perhaps late 30 s or early 40 s • Samson sleeps with a Philistine prostitute ▫ He is still not a righteous man ▫ Trapped in the city by Philistines ▫ Removes gates and carries them away 7 miles, uphill

• Samson then falls in love with another Philistine woman, Delilah ▫ Lords of Philistines offer Delilah money to find out secret of his strength There were 5 lords of the Philistines ▫ 3 times she begs Samson, 3 times he lies and escapes Jdgs 16: 15 -17 she “nags” for days

Samson’s story • Samson tells her about his Nazirite vow ▫ Samson doesn’t really believe shaving his head will make a difference Probably because he had broken the vow several times already But God let him be captured (Jdgs 16: 19 -21) Samson failed to realize he was being used by God for God’s purposes Thought he was the one in control

• Samson is blinded, chained, and put to work like an animal grinding grain ▫ His hair begins to grow, but his strength doesn’t return ▫ The 5 lords hold a celebration and bring in Samson to entertain them (Jdgs 16: 23 -24) • Samson prays (Jdgs 16: 28 -30) ▫ He finally learned the true source of his strength ▫ Wanted to make one final effort to strike a blow against the Philistines All 5 lords, 3, 000 on the roof, unknown how many others inside – all killed

What can we learn? • God can use wicked people to accomplish His plans • God punishes the wicked, even if that punishment seems delayed • Sin takes you farther than you want to go ▫ Samson started by chasing the wrong woman ▫ He became proud of “his” accomplishments ▫ He kept getting deeper into sin Ignored all warnings

What can we learn? • Sin and its consequences will hold you longer than you want to stay ▫ Samson blinded, imprisoned, forced labor, humiliated • Sin will cost you more than you care to pay ▫ Cost Samson sight, freedom, pride, and life • God will forgive anyone who truly repents and turns back to God

How do we know Samson was forgiven? • • He prayed God heard his prayer God answered his prayer God listed him in Hebrews 11 as a man of faith ▫ It is only at the end of his life that we see Samson display any real faith in God

Conclusion • No matter who we are … • No matter what we’ve done … • No matter how often we may have failed in the past… • God wants us to turn to Him in faith, repentance and obedience ▫ Why not now?