Study In Judges

1. Study InJudges Presentation 16

2. Chapter 16v1-31 The DownfallOf Samson Presentation 16

3. The unholy saga of Samson’s love affairs continues in these verses, until finally the Lord’s anointed is brought into captivity. “The reputation of Samson had now extended far beyond the immediate vicinity of his exploits and his appearance in Gaza led to an attempt to seize him”. He must have seemed invincible cf v1-3 but finally his involvement with Delilah set in train a series of events that led to his downfall. There is a threefold ‘lead-up’ to his captivity: first of all (7 ff) there is the episode of the ‘fresh thongs’ or ‘bow strings’; then, in 11,12, that of the new ropes; and thirdly, in 13,14, the process of weaving his hair. This third attempt to trap Samson was perilously near the truth. Introduction Presentation 16

4. All of this can be seen as a wearing down process that ultimately led to the breaking down of his will and is very true to human psychology, illustrating the kind of pressure that can be exerted within the context of an emotional entanglement. He was so blinded by his passion for Delilah that he fails to see how dangerous his situation was. Introduction Presentation 16

5. In v15-24 the secret is finally revealed. Even making allowances for the moral climate of the age, this final relationship - with Delilah - was simply the crowning act of Samson’s folly, the point of no return which, when passed, inevitably led to disaster. And disaster came: the divinely given strength and power left him. There is no sadder, tragic, or more frightening verse in all Scripture, than 20b:“But he did not know that the Lord had left him”. Samson came crashing down, in humiliation. The mighty deliver becomes a pathetic prisoner in Gaza. Having first been blinded to stifle the fear of any future threat as well as enforcing a humiliating punishment. Introduction Presentation 16

6. It was not Delilah; all along he had flirted with forbidden things, setting in train a whole moral chain- reaction making it quite inevitable that he should yield up his secret at last. The real mistakes were made before ever he met Delilah. There was a fatal weakness that had been neglected right from the start. It was there - in his emotional life - that the seed of this tragedy was sown. If ever a lesson needed to be learned, it is: “Resist beginnings”. For if you do not, you will end up, like Samson, ‘grinding in the prison house’. And the church of God is strewn with the wrecks of those who could bear witness to that truth. Introduction Presentation 16

7. But evil does not have the last word in God’s world as v25-31 make clear. In that prison house he had time to think (God gives us time to think and to learn many salutary lessons in the prison house). And as Samson languished in his misery and helplessness, his hair grew again - symbolical of the return of his dedication and consecration. And at last the opportunity to be what he was meant to be a the scourge of the Philistines - and in his death he slew more Philistines than in his lifetime. His last exploit proved to be the greatest. Introduction Presentation 16

8. There are two ways in which this story can be applied. First, the church is God’s gift to the world. Jesus said ‘You are the light of the world, a city set on an hill cannot be hid’; but the church can be beguiled from its calling to be separate to God? We are often bogged down with other interests, attitudes and activities, that we no longer effectively witness in the world. The salt has lost its savour, and the present day Philistines mock her. Think of the way in which the clergy are characterised on T.V. and you will realise with what amused tolerance and contempt the world holds the Church of God - weak, spineless nonentities instead of the intrepid and fearless prophets of God they are supposed to be. Introduction Presentation 16

9. Samson’s story also has an individual application. It is a simple truth that God has a plan and purpose of grace and blessing for every believer’s life. We are his lights in a dark world. ‘You shall be witnesses unto Me’, said Christ. But sadly many Xns are like Samson grinding in the prison house, instead of working triumphantly for Christ. So easily we can be beguiled from the simplicity that is in Christ and loose our first love: the subtle claims of the world, of forbidden things, of questionable and unholy relationships - in personal life, in business life – can rob our testimony of power. The fine edge of our consecration can wear off. The problem with Samson lay in an undisciplined emotional life. There was a death that he refused to die - in his emotional life and make-up; it was there that the weakness - and the danger - lay. Introduction Presentation 16

10. Note in closing despite Samson’s final triumph in death, deliverance was not secured in Israel as it was meant to have been. He did not become the man God intended him to become. This is a scary story but if it drives us to God in prayer so that we say “O God keep us from flirting with forbidden things that will ultimately leave us grinding out our existence in a prison cell instead of impacting for you in a world of need”, then it has achieved its purpose. The Samson story was not swept under the carpet but recorded for our instruction. Does the Samson story cause us to pray, “Lord help me to die those deaths to self that I need to die in order to be fruitful and useful to you.” Introduction Presentation 16