Foundations Week 14, Day 3

Scripture Read:  Judges 15 - 16
Title: Samson, Delilah and his Death
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse:  "Then Samson called upon the LORD and said, 'O LORD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.''" Judges 16:28

(E) Explain:  The story of Samson is a triumphantly tragic story.  Samson was a called Judge for the nation of Israel, but his lusts always got the best of him.  We read that he was a man with strong desires for sex and he was prideful.  God chose him to be the one who would set Israel free from the bondage of the Philistines and as we read, He was definitely a thorn in their side.  But Samson had a weakness for women, this is apparent throughout the story.  He was married to one woman, had an encounter with a prostitute and fell in love with Delilah, who was a shady character at best.  In his pride and arrogance he revealed the source of his strength to her and ultimately regretted this decision as he was taken as a prisoner of the Philistines.  We do see a redeeming moment though when Samson calls upon the LORD for one last filling of the Spirit as he knocks down the pillars holding the roof to of the house they were in, resulting in his death and the death of many Philistines (the most he ever killed). 
 
(A) Application:  God uses all kinds of people to accomplish his will.  In the case of Samson God uses an arrogant, sexually charged and a not very wise man to bring salvation to Israel.  In this account, though, we see that Samson may have been a man appointed by God, but he did not truly represent God.  He was sexually promiscuous and he thought that he had become untouchable because God had done amazing things in his life.  However, this all caught up to him in the end.  He allowed his lack of wisdom and his impetuous actions get the best of him and ultimately resulted in imprisonment and death.  Sin always leads to imprisonment and death.  Fortunately, his final act of of repentance led to the redemption of Israel.  Repentance is a powerful thing that leads to redemption, so may we always remember this.

(R) Respond: Lord, I pray that I may remain humble and pure in my actions and words.  I pray that I would seek your wisdom in all matters of my life.  I also pray that I would not think too highly of myself lest I fall into temptation.  But most of all, I pray your Spirit remain in me all the days of my life.