The Book of Judges

 The Book of Judges was taught by Dr. James Modlish

 

Judges 15:1-20

 

I. The deception of the Philistines (15:1-5)

The devil majors in leading the Christian to believe that the world has the answers to life. Samson had pursued this line of reasoning, only to be deceived.

Foxes:

Jesus called Herod one - (Lk. 14:31,32) Herod is a type of the antichrist.

Foxes spoil the fruit - (Song of Sol. 2:15). This is the devil's work.

Samson, with the empowerment of the Spirit of God, uses the devil's tools against him. (1 Jn. 2:13)
 

II. The survival of the brethren (15:6-13)

Sometimes the brethren can be like sharks (Gal. 5:15). One of the most difficult duties of the believer is to love the brethren. (1 Jn. 3:14-16). We are, however, reminded that tough love is occasionally required. (1 Cor. 11:16-19; Tit. 3: 10; Phil. 2:14; 1 Cor. 10: 9-11).

 

III. The use of what's available (15:14-17)

Even though the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon Samson, he must have humanly felt very outgunned with nothing but a jawbone. Excalibur was unnecessary because of (1 Cor. 1:27-29).

 

IV. A great thirst - great revival (15:18-20)

The water came from a source that would have been totally overlooked - the weapon that God had given Samson.

Our thirst will be satisfied by our weapon, the sword of the Spirit - (Eph. 6:17). A great thirst is predicted for the last days --- the evidence is that the people are drinking something, but it does not satisfy. (Amos 8:11-13)

Judges 16:1-31

 

Introduction: (vs. 1-20)

Samson had already gotten into trouble with one pagan woman, but now he tries again, this time traveling deep into enemy territory to Gaza. Again, God warned him by allowing the enemy almost to catch him; but Samson refused to repent. It was then that Delilah came into his life and led him to his doom.

The obvious is that Samson has more than a problem with the flesh - he seems to be mesmerized by the general atmosphere of the world and the entire pagan system. The rest of the story shows the tragic end of the believer who will not let God have His way with his life. From now one, Samson does nothing but lose.

 

I. The losses of Samson (vs. 21-24)

A. His hair - this is the symbol of his Nazarite dedication (Num. 6:5).

B. His strength - we are reminded in Phil. 4:13 that any real strength comes from God. It's easy to see that separation and strength go hand in-hand.

C. His light - for they put out his eyes. When David confesses his sin he refers to lack of light in his eyes (Psa. 38: 10). "Light is sown for the righteous." (Psa. 97:11)

D. His liberty - for they bound him with fetters of brass. "... where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Cor. 3:17) It seems that so many Christians are dying to lose their liberty to sin (1 Cor. 8:9) or to legalism (Gal. 2:4; 5:1,13).

E. His usefulness to the Lord - for he ended up grinding corn instead of fighting God's battles. All of this began when Samson despised his blessings and defied his parents! (1 Cor. 1:28)

F. His testimony - for he was the laughingstock of the Philistines. Their was given all the glory, not the God of Israel.
 

II. Last opportunities can be best (vs. 25-31)

Apparently, Samson repented of his sin for God gave him one more chance to act by faith (Heb. 11: 3 2). Samson finally redeems the time for his days were evil. (Eph. 5:16)

 

III. The summary of a tragic life:

Samson illustrates the man who has power to conquer others, but who cannot conquer himself Instead of leading the nation, he preferred to work independently; and as a result, left no permanent victory behind. He was remembered for what he destroyed, not for what he built up. He lacked discipline and direction; without these, his strength would accomplish little.

It remained for Samuel and David in later years to finally defeat the Philistines. Samuel by one prayer accomplished more than Samson did in twenty years of fighting. (1 Sam. 7:9-14)

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