Samson

Judges 13-16

The book of Judges...not one of my favorite places to find sermon material. Even the stories that are potentially editable for general audiences (G-rating), such as the story of Samson, definitely have to be understood through a sociological filter.

I recently reread the book of Judges during the course of my devotions. Once again, I can't say that I found anything in the book encouraging or inspiring. I think I only read it out of some sense of guilt and obligation - strange how we do things like that.

I have been too critical of Thomas Jefferson's edited Bible to edit my own version. So, I hypocritically submit myself to the unenjoyable and uninspiring chore of regularly rereading some portions of scripture as a 'discipline.'

I did find something rather amusing in the 13th chapter in this reading. Manoah wanted to see and talk with the angel who had appeared to his wife. He wanted further, and more exact, information on this son who was to be born to them.

When Manoah saw the angel he didn't believe it was an angel. He asked what the angel's name was...the angel said, 'Why? You won't understand it anyway...' then after awhile the angel ascends in the flame of the burnt offering and Manoah comes unhinged. 'We're doomed! We're gonna die! We've seen God!'

Okay, now THAT I can understand! I want God to reveal His will for me, to me. I entertain thoughts that I want God to reveal Himself to me in some way...I think probably He has many times and I've never believed it when it happened.

If, for some reason, He ever would blatantly and openly give me such a demonstration as He gave Manoah, I'd probably be yelling, 'I'm gonna die...I'm doomed...I'm a goner...bury me now!' Yep, I think I prefer to stick with the subtle.

It is amazing to me how nothing negative is said about Samson going down to the prostitute, but lots of emphasis is given to making certain he never tasted grapes, etc.

Lessons are wherever you find them. Try rereading these chapters again (Judges 13-16). It's amazing what new thoughts will cross your mind about the ways of mankind and the strange ways God has crossed the tracks of various societal contexts down through the eons.

And, mommas, it's probably more important to teach your boys about the dangers of 'wanton women' than about the 'evils' of the grape.