21 Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison. 22 However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it was shaved off.
Message: Samson Defeated
Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25).
What the Lord is Saying: Verse 1 begins the continued weakness of Samson, after his nameless wife from Timnah is killed, as he travels to Gaza and upon arrival "saw a harlot there, and went in to her." It is 3,000 years ago and nothing has changed since then - harlots remain.
The people of Gaza heard Samson was there and waited at the gate of the city to kill him. At midnight, he picked up the gates of the city and carried them up to the top of the mountain (v. 3).
Then a curious story is told. He is found out to have an admiration for another harlot - Delilah. The plot toward him is set to discover the source of his strength. Delilah asks him and he tells her a tale. However, thinking it is the truth, she sets a trap for him only to find out that it does not hold him and he breaks through. This occurs 2 more times (v. 4 -14). The Philistines want him and they have corroborated with Delilah to discover this.
Delilah asks again, but this time implores him by speaking of her love and how can love be present if there are lies. After being pressed, Samson is said to be annoyed or vexed. He is torn - love on the one hand, fear on the other. He lets his guard down though and gives in and she takes the information to use against him. Not sure where her loyalty resides. And yet Samson had the evidence over and over previously, that each time he shared with her non-truth, she attempted to use it against him. And yet, he does not learn and gives in to the grip that she has on him. He reveals to him the truth and she once again tells the Philistines - her payment is money. She is a harlot at heart who shows clearly her main ambition is money and acquiring it, at whatever cost that requires. Samson however has not a quest for money, his quest is lust. This is an interesting point I think in life - two of the biggest temptations or dangers of life here are mentioned: lust and money. These are two of the biggest inhibitors to quality of life for all people.
The scripture states that without Samson's hair, "the Lord had departed from him." The Philistines seize Samson and throw him into prison and yet in verse 22, his hair begins to grow again. Good can be restored in a prison, just as Paul wrote many letters from prison.
Summary: Samson continues to show his problem with lust, dealing with Delilah who has a quest for money. The Lord disciplines Samson as he ends up in prison.
Promise: We must fight our sinful desires and not simply give into them.
Prayer: O Lord God, you are merciful and good. Your ways are always right and true. You created me and understand my nature and my temptations. You are good and your precepts and commandments are what I need to live a life that is pleasing to you. Your word states, "You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed (Ps. 119:4)" and yet Lord our vices get in the way of this often as we surrender instead to them. Forgive me Lord for letting lust and the greed for more money take the place of your priorities and your precepts. Change my heart Lord. Help me to be more like you every day God. Thank you for this instruction and these verses today that remind me more and more of your right ways.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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