Judges 15-Working Through Sin
Read Judges 15:14
Today’s Truth
I have to admit, this is one of those chapters in the Bible I don’t understand. It has some pretty cool stories. First, Samson ties the tails of 300 foxes together, puts a torch in each pair, then sets them loose in the fields of the Philistines. That must have been a cool site. Can you imagine the looks in those foxes eyes as they tried to run away from their partner, and the fire on their tail, but couldn’t. Can you imagine the faces of the Philistines as they see these foxes running through their fields tied together with the torch burning down their fields. Then Samson kills one thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. Now that’s the weapon of choice.
While all this is pretty cool, and true, what I don’t understand is how God would use Samson. He’s impulsive, proud, and not really worried about obeying God. But God still accomplishes His plan through Samson. God had a covenant with the Hebrews, which included promises of deliverance and protection when they trusted Him. After years of oppression by the Philistines, God acted on behalf of His people. The Philistines livelihood was messed up, so instead of making war on the Israelites, they would have to spend extra time trying to come up with food. And 1,000 of their men are gone, which depleted their army and hindered their capability of fighting God’s people. God is using Samson to bring judgement on the Philistines because of their evil treatment of the Jews. But why Samson?
Discussion Questions
- What was Samson’s reason for returning to his wife, and what happened when he arrived (Judges 15:1-2)?
- The men of Judah were more willing to hand over Samson than to fight the Philistines. Have you ever compromised or chosen comfort over standing up for what is right?
- God still used Samson despite his flaws and impulsiveness. How does this encourage you about God’s ability to use imperfect people for His purposes?
Application
We can already see that Samson is not going to be the judge we were hoping for! If God wants to send revival to an area, He will do it. If God wants to send judgement to an area, he will do it. Nothing you or I do will stop God’s plan.
If we respond to God with faith, love, and obedience, we will experience blessing and contentment, no matter what is happening in the world around us. But if we are proud and try to do it our own way, we will experience the consequences of sin and defeat. While God does use Samson, it does not go well for Samson. In the end God saves both the Jews and Samson, but the path is very painful. If you are a follower of Jesus, you may choose a rebellious, unbelieving path. But that path will not go will. Still, God will still accomplish His plan.
