Samson

1
Samson

• A man of flaws, yet in great faith overcame his
  enemies and fulfilled Gods will.

2
Introduction

• It is natural and often asked What is Gods plan
  for my life?
• We say this knowing the overall answer to do His
  will.
• Yet, throughout our lifelong service to Him in
  the Lord we take matters into our own hands.
• It is easy to forget Gods will when our own
  schemes (plans) seem to contradict His plan.

3
Introduction

• Samsons life reflects an illustration of our own
  lives.
• God reveals His plan for Samsons life.
• Yet, throughout his consecrated life to God, he
  often took matters into his own hands at times
  against the Lords commandments.
• But, in the end, even when his plans seem to
  contradict Gods, Gods overall plan was
  fulfilled.
• The same can be said for our lives as we strive
  to live for Him. cp. Rom. 828

4
Introduction

• In this short lesson we look at
• How Samsons consecrated life to God included
  choices that were against Gods will, yet still
  lived his life ultimately to fulfill Gods will.
• Lessons we can learn about our lives in light of
  Samsons life.

5
Samson The Nazarite

• During the duration of the Nazarite (dedication
  by separation) vow Num. 61-21 (cp. Dt. 2321)
• Abstinence from intoxicating drink (wine, strong
  drink), vinegar or anything from the grape.
• Refrain from shaving hair from his head.
• Avoiding contact with the dead.

6
Samson The Nazarite

• The Angel of the Lord comes to Manoahs wife
  telling of Gods plan for Samson.
• Samson would be a Nazarite from her womb that
  is, his life was to be peculiarly separated unto
  God.
• He was to be raised up as a deliverer for Israel
  against the Philistines who ruled over them.

7
Highlights of Samsons Life

• Samsons marries Philistine woman. Jdgs. 14
• The Philistines were not explicitly mentioned as
  on the list of forbidden nations, yet his
  choice to marry a foreign woman was seriously
  lacking/disappointing his parents. Dt. 71-3
  Jdgs. 143
• Still, Gods overall purpose for Samson to
  deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the
  Philistines was fulfilled. Jdgs. 144
• God used Samsons spirit of revenge (cp. Dt.
  3235 Rom. 1219) to fulfill his judgment upon
  the Philistines. Jdgs. 1419

8
Highlights of Samsons Life

• Samson burns the crops of the Philistines 1,000
  Philistines killed.
• His father-in-law gives Samsons wife to a friend
  of his in another act of revenge he burns the
  crops, vineyards, and olive groves to the fields
  of the Philistines. Jdgs. 151-5
• Having angered the Philistines, Samson is given
  over to his enemies, but breaks free and
  revengefully takes the jawbone of a donkey kills
  another 1,000 of his enemies. Jdg. 159-16

9
Highlights of Samsons Life

• Samson and Delilah 3,000 Philistines killed.
• After being with a harlot the Philistines
  surround him only for Samson to be delivered out
  of their hands. Jdgs. 161-3
• He then falls in love with Delilah, whom the
  Philistines asked to entice him. Jdgs. 166, 7,
  11, 17
• By allowing his enemies to know the source of his
  strength he gave them opportunity to cut his hair
  (which was against the Nazirite vow).
• He is thrown in prison and his eyes are also
  gauged out during this time.

10
Highlights of Samsons Life

• More killed in his death than all during his
  life.
• While in prison Samson hair grows back. Jdgs.
  1622
• He prays to God that He may avenge his eyes.
  Jdgs. 1628
• God hears and obliges Samsons prayer and brings
  3,000 lords of the Philistines to their death.
  Jdgs. 1623-30

11
Lessons For Us Through Samsons Life

• God has a plan for His children who are to be
  consecrated to Him.
• We may not have an Angel of the Lord come to tell
  our parents what that is.
• But, Gods plan for His children is for each of
  us to live by faith.
• Through such we are able to have our lives and/or
  the lives of others delivered from our great
  enemy Satan.

12
Lessons For Us Through Samsons Life

• Even though God has a plan for us, we still make
  personal choices throughout our life-long service
  to His will.
• We desire to live by faith. Heb. 116 (cp. vs.
  32)
• We also sometimes sin but have Gods grace
  through Jesus. 1 Jn. 21-2
• In the end, we want to be victorious over our
  enemy in service to His overall plan for our
  lives. cp. Rev. 210

13
Conclusion

• The revelations about Samsons life, as do many
  other biblical characters, serve as a microcosm
  of our lives.
• We need to know that our lives are consecrated to
  God Himself.
• While we may take matters inadvertently, but
  sinfully into our own hands, our lives are given
  to His cause.
• May we, like Samson, give our life in victory
  over our enemy.