Judges – God’s Grace in Dark Times
Samson and the Philistines – Ch 14:1 – 15:20 – Part 2
We continue the ‘roller-coaster’ ride that is Samson’s story with the focus in these two chapters being Samson’s relationship with women. It reminds me of Salieri’s famous description (in the film ‘Amadeus’ at least), of Mozart as ‘a performing monkey’ and his deep quandary: ‘it seemed to me I was hearing the voice of God but why… why… would God choose an obscene child to be his instrument?’ From the optimism of a miraculous birth and the assurance of ‘the Spirit of the LORD coming powerfully on him’ (13:19) everything is in place for a man of God to assume the leadership of the nation. Instead ‘we find by far the most flawed character in the book: a violent impulsive, sexually addicted, emotionally immature and selfish man’ (Timothy Keller).
Samson wants a bride 14:1-4
Samson is now a grown man and should be fully focused on fulfilling the angel’s prophesy that ‘he will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines’ (13:5). Instead, he socializes with the Philistines, sees an attractive young Philistine woman and when he returns home, bluntly tells his parents ‘Get her for me as my wife’ (14:1-2). That’s not the way it’s usually done today – we have Christian dating apps!
The more serious issue was that she belonged to the ‘uncircumcised Philistines’ and any marriage would be directly against the Covenant law ‘Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land… and when you choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those wives prostitute themselves to their gods, they will lead your sons to do the same’ Ex 34:16 (see also Deut 7:3). God’s prohibition is not against inter-racial marriage but against inter-faith marriage. In the New Testament we have a similar instruction: ‘be not unequally yoked with unbelievers’ (2 Cor 6:14) – the influence of a non-believing spouse can lead to a very barren Christian life. As we suggested in an earlier article, Samson represents Israel hence he has the strength of a nation in one body. He also reflects the sin of the nation which ‘always did that which was right in their own eyes’ (21:25).
Samson’s motive was clearly selfish and lustful, and we’re reminded in 1 John 3:16 of the ‘lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes’ does not come from the Father but from the world. God never initiates or approves sinful behaviour, but a dynamically sovereign God can still use it to accomplish his greater purposes – as he does here: ’his parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines who at that time were ruling over Israel’ (v4).
Samson kills a Lion v5-8
On his way to his intended future wife’s home, Samson is challenged by a lion – as we will be (1 Peter 5:8 ‘be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith’).
The Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart - the same Hebrew word/phrase that is used of the sacrifices as prepared for the altar (Lev 1:17 ‘He shall tear it open by the wings, not dividing it completely, and then the priest shall burn it on the wood that is burning on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD’).
In the process though, Samson has broken the first of his Nazirite vows – not to touch a dead animal. His response should have been to go to the tabernacle (which was in Shiloh) for cleansing, but he had other things on his mind! He also didn’t tell his parents which suggests he knew it would be best to keep this as a secret.
Later (v8) he found honey in the carcass – a precious commodity reminding him of the promise through the manna in the wilderness, that the Promised land would taste of coriander and honey (Ex 16:31) – only when the lion is slain in our lives will we get a taste heaven.
Samson’s Riddle v8-20
v12-14 Samson set up a riddle which is a common form of entertainment and prowess in the Middle East – the death of a lion was leading to high stakes! The young men were given seven days to solve the riddle:
Out of the eater, something to eat;
Out of the strong something sweet.
‘Seven days’ is a reminder that there is enough evidence in creation to know that there is a Creator (Rom 1:20), but when the Philistine’s were baffled by Samon’s riddle, their pride was hurt. ‘For three days they could not give the answer’ (v14). This is one of many references (there are actually 37 references) to the significance of ‘three days’ in the Old Testament (eg Moses stretched his hands over Egypt and there was darkness for three days; Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days). This is a clear pointer to the fact that it takes divine revelation and human humility to understand the ultimate truth of the three days Jesus suffered, died and was resurrected! Otherwise, life is a perpetually unresolved dilemma – like the riddle the Philistines couldn’t resolve.
Like many human responses to the mystery of life, the Philistines turn nasty (v15-18). They violently threaten his new bride and so she plays the emotional card ‘she cried the whole seven days of the feast’ (v17). The ‘seven days’ means that there was no consummation of the marriage – Samson is robbed of his bride. Satan always tries to come between Christ and his bride, and he will offer an alternative husband who may even look like a friend! (v20)
‘The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him’ (v19) because this was his true calling as a Judge to break the stronghold the Philistines had on God’s people. Ironically, Samson paid the thirty clothes from their own people. Satan’s schemes never pay off in the long run.
Samson Rejected and his Revenge 15:1-17
How terrible it would be to find that your bride had been given to someone else (15:1-2) – but remember that is what has happened to the Lord’s bride! The amazing grace of our faithful Bridegroom is that he never gives up on restoring us. This is powerfully illustrated in the relationship between Hosea and Gomer which is a picture of Jehovah and Israel and Christ and the church. Note: ‘I will court her again’ (Hos 2:14) – this is the amazing grace of our Lord Jesus – he never gives up on us. But don’t think you can just come to God on your terms… when you feel like it… as Dr Alan Redpath says:
partial obedience is still disobedience
Samson’s response at the loss of his intended bride is typical – he lashes out (15:3-5). There is no reference here to ‘the Spirit of the LORD’ coming on him – this is sheer revengeful humanity. God had said ‘an eye for an eye’ (Ex 21:12-26) not requiring that you were required to match injustice with revenge but making it clear that you should not go beyond that. In the NT Jesus calls us to ‘turn the other cheek’ (Matt 5:38-48) which is a lot harder to do than take revenge. At any moment Jesus could have destroyed those torturing him and nailing him to the cross but he chose to suffer unjustly so that he may be able to offer full justification (salvation) to even the most hardened killer or terrorist. Anyone can pick up a gun and shoot people they don’t like – that is not being a heroic ‘freedom fighter’ that is perpetuating misery and depravity with literally all hell to pay.
Ch 15:6-8 gives us a further glimpse into the cruelty of the Philistines – they burned the intended bride and her father to death. The Philistine’s revenge (v6) was an excessive cruel human version of justice no doubt orchestrated by Satan. Fire is often a picture of the Holy Spirit and Satan loves to parody God’s activity (that’s all he can do as he’s not a creator or equal with God in any way). God is dangerous and ultimately will destroy with fire ‘For with fire and with his sword the LORD will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the LORD’ (Isaiah 66:16). We don’t need to be embarrassed about that because it will be a purifying fire and remember: ‘He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he’ (Deut 32:4).
Samson’s response was no better than the Philistines, ‘he attacked them viciously and slaughtered many of them’ (v8). In retaliation at least a thousand Philistines (v15-16) chased after one man Samson! Despite Samson’s lack of spiritual integrity, the Lord was using him to wake up Israel who had settled for the status quo that ‘the Philistines are rulers over us’ (v11). At least in previous times during these days of the Judges, the people had cried out to the Lord because of the invasion of alien people. Now it seems they had settled for it and accommodated it into their own belief system. This is a huge lesson for us today. There is a profound danger we as the church accommodate the non-Biblical values and distinctives that should set us apart from the world and enable us to be ‘salt and light’. As Michael Wilcock says:
‘there is no such thing as harmonious co-existence between the church and the world, for where there is no conflict – it is because the world has taken over’
There are many examples in church history where true followers of Jesus have been opposed more by the church itself than the secular cultural forces in the world. In this case 3,000 from Judah (compared to only 1,000 Philistines!) come to challenge Samson and they come with only a weak proposal – don’t cause problems! The world increasingly claims the death of Christianity (eg ‘the churches are declining and irrelevant’; ‘God is dead, science has resolved the mysteries of life’; ‘morality is only a choice not an absolute’ etc.) If we listen to them, we will be weak and compromise out of fear of not conforming to the latest cultural values. If we keep going down this path, we will be directly ignoring Paul’s command ‘do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind’ (Rom 12:2).
Samson allowed his own people to hand him over to the Philistines ‘bound with two new ropes’ (v13). But rough and crude as he was, ‘the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him’ and he struck down a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. The instrument was incidental because he threw it away (v17) – but it symbolized the fact that a most unimpressive instrument even used by a most unimpressive person makes a complete mockery of the supposed sophistication of those who think they can compete with God and his people. Even unsophisticated Samson can express this:
‘With a donkey’s jawbone
I have made donkeys of them.
With a donkey’s jawbone
I have killed a thousand men’
This incident graphically fulfils the prophecy of Josh 23:9-10 The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised’.
Samson Revived v18-20
Samson was thirsty physically when he should have been thirsty spiritually (v18-19). We’re reminded in Matt 5:6 that ‘blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled’. God ‘opened up the hollow place in Lehi and water came out of it’ (v19). It is described as ‘a spring’ and Samson’s ‘strength returned and he was revived’. We need to drink from the fountain of life – Christ continually – one victory will not sustain us – only Christ. Remember Elijah ran away from one woman, Jezebel, despite his amazing victory on Mount Carmel! ‘Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So, Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life’ (1 Kings 19:1-3).
Conclusion
Despite all the evidence of Samson’s carnality, this was the high point of Samson’s life, and he led Israel for 20 yrs. The old Samson nature was still there as we’ll find out in chapter 16 but as we have seen through each of the Judges, there is always:
God’s Grace in Dark Times