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13: 4,7 1. The point of instruction--God’s call (like point of salvation).
God placing severe restrictions upon Samson’s life because of the need for a
deliverer for His people.
This deliverer would have to remain free from the contaminating effects of low
moral standards in their nation
God has called believers today to be light and to bear the standard of truth.
13: 24, 2. The place of commitment--God’s will (like commitment in salvation).
25 Responding to the Holy Spirit’s direction and counsel.
God was faithful.
14: 2 3. The pursuit of compromise.
Not focusing on God’s priorities allows compromise to make its appeal.
He made light of God’s involvement in his life. He disregarded God’s standards
for his life.
The world will test our commitment to Christ.
4. The price of compromise.
14: 3 Causes close mindedness to our source of counsel.
v.6 Causes insensitivity to God’s reminders of His calling.
v.9 Leads to further compromise (dead body)
v.10 Leads to further compromise (wine)
v.12 Builds up pride and pressure to demonstrate controlling abilities (not giving God
credit)
v.15 Leads to loss of integrity in relationship (entice thy husband.)
He was violating God’s law in pursuing the woman of Timnah (Deut. 7: 1-4).
Loyalty of the godless is not to God.
v.20 Results in a loss of that sought after.
Ch. 15 Results in abuses of God given gifts--uses for self satisfying purposes--one out
from under authority. explanation for what is happening to some ministers
today who disobey God and fall to immorality.
Further transgressions ensue.
Example today- misuse of affluent blessings.
5. The pride of defiance.
Samson refuses to deal with his flesh.
One cannot build a belief system based upon what God allows or sovereignly
rules over.
Ch. 16 Cannot get back on track after compromise of integrity.
Cannot get back on track after compromise of purpose.
Cannot get back on track after compromise of conviction of heart.
v.1 Leads to impurity, fleshliness- moral corruption.
Rationalization or just willfulness without regard to question.
v.17 He was not ignorant, he knew the source of his strength, he was willful.
v.5 Further opens the door to the enemy. (entice him …)
v.6 Flirtation with evil ensues.
v.15-17 Reveal God’s secrets to the enemy.
v.23 Given enemy occasion to claim superiority over God’s servant.
6. The penalty of rejection.
Compromise strips of integrity.
16: 20 God’s presence departs.
v.21 Powerlessness sets in--God removes His power.
God could no longer use him for His designed purpose (the reason for
powerlessness in Christian living today).
v.21 Bondage to the enemy follows. (we’re talking about God’s servant.
v.21 Energies consumed by the devil’s game.
v.21 Enemy has no respect for a disobedient servant of God; he is just a castaway to
the enemy.
7. The point of no return.
16: 21 Due to pride and unrepentance his ministry was gone.
His purpose was unfulfilled.
The opportunities for Godly gain had escaped.
v.21 He was humiliated by the enemy--doing the work of a beast or slave--what a
tragedy!
His long hair represented his complete abandonment to God given purpose in his
life.
He forsook his calling, his hair was gone, his strength removed.
v.28 Yet God avenged Samson--
Philistines were mocking God--blaspheming God and worshiping a fish god,
dagon.
Samson’s hair had grown back--a symbol of renewal of the Nazarite vow--thus
the return of his strength.
God is faithful to accomplish His cause. Samson was upset by the Philistines
oppression.
God desired him to see the reason for the oppression- i.e. Israel’s idolatry--
worshiping false gods. But he failed--God still brought judgment on the
Philistines.
Our lesson--often we get upset at God and our Philistines rather than seeing that
our Philistines are there to make us aware of our rebellion against God and of
our need for genuine repentance and returning to God’s integrity and standard
in worship and service.
1 Peter 4: 17 Judgment is first to begin at the house of God.
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