May 28: GOD’S PLAN FOR SAMSON (part 4)

After a while, in the time of the wheat harvest, it happened that Samson visited his wife with a young goat… Judges 15:1a

Samson had left Timnah in anger at the end of his week-long wedding feast. But the passage of a little time softened his heart somewhat. Upon arriving at the home of his father-in-law, he was not permitted to see his wife and was told that she had been given to another. Samson’s anger was greatly kindled and he took revenge by setting fire to the grain fields, vineyards, and olive groves in the whole area around Timnah. When the Philistines found out who had done it, they murdered both the bride and her father.

The series of events only escalated from here. Samson was incensed over the barbarous murder of his wife. So he attacked them hip and thigh with a great slaughter; then he went down and dwelt in the cleft of the rock of Etam (v.8). This is reminiscent of the way he had torn apart the roaring lion (14:5-6). It seems that Samson wanted a safe retreat from his enemies more than anything at this point. But the Philistines came looking for him. In a cowardly fashion, the inhabitants of Judah arrested Samson, tied him up, and turned him over to the Philistines. At that moment, the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it (vv14b-15). The rest of the Philistines fled in terror. Samson gave God the glory for this victory, and God answered his prayer for water (vv.18-19).

“Had the Israelites been ready to unite with Samson and follow up the victory, they might at this time have freed themselves from the power of their oppressors. But they had become dispirited and cowardly. They had neglected the work which God commanded them to perform, in dispossessing the heathen, and instead had united with them in their degrading practices, tolerating their cruelty, and, so long as it was not directed against themselves, even countenancing their injustice. When themselves brought under the power of the oppressor, they tamely submitted to the degradation which they might have escaped, had they only obeyed God. Even when the Lord raised up a deliverer for them, they would [often] desert him and unite with their enemies.” *

This scenario has a prophetic application to the days of Christ’s earthly ministry and also to the end times. The religious and political powers of earth will unite against those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12b).

But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him! Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” John 19:15

*PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS by E.G.W (p.564)