Have you ever thought about the fact that we only know and experience the world because we have senses? Senses are a means through which we gain understanding about the world around us. According to Jesus in Matthew 13:16—“Blessed are your eyes because they do see, and your ears because they do hear”—they are also how we discover and receive His truth. But sometimes we allow our senses to run after other things, instead of using them to pursue God.
As we read a passage like Judges 14, we might wonder how a man of God like Samson could lose so much of his wisdom and understanding. Samson was quite a force. Like Israel, he had been set apart, specially blessed by God to bless others. His call was to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:5). His superpower was his incredible, physical strength. But his use of it demonstrated his lack of spiritual strength. He frequently forgot his calling, or dismissed it, listening instead to his wants. He ate honey he was not supposed to eat as a Nazirite (vv.8–9) and married and left a woman he should have avoided in the first place (vv.8,20). Like Israel, he lived as the rest of the world, chasing after other loves and forgetting God and His higher calling. If we’re honest, we’re a lot like Samson; we tend to see and hear our own desires.
Samson could have shown Israel how to live as one called by God. He could have demonstrated both great physical and spiritual strength. Instead, he spent his time pursuing his own path and harming those who got in his way. God used Samson’s actions for His own purposes: to protect Israel and demonstrate His power. Still, Samson’s desires led to his demise; the same happens for Israel. If only he and they would have remembered the beauty of the Lord and the powerful calling He had given them. If only we could remember this too.
Samson’s strength saved Israel temporarily, but God had to send one who could save permanently. One with “a Spirit of wisdom and understanding…counsel and strength…and of the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2). In the greatest rescue in history, Jesus endured the cross, forever solidifying our salvation. Our call today is to respond to what we have seen and heard. We all have Samson-like moments in our days. But let’s be wise and willing to turn back to Jesus, trusting His promise to heal us and help us see and hear Him (Matthew 13:15–16).
Leave a Reply
40 thoughts on "Samson’s Riddle"
What i don’t realize is in truth how you are no longer really much
more smartly-favored than you may be now. You’re so intelligent.
You already know thus significantly in terms of this topic,
made me personally believe it from so many numerous angles.
Its like women and men aren’t interested except it is something to
accomplish with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs great.
All the time handle it up!
Oh my .. so I am hurting over my sons behavior. Your insight of the verse spoke to me and it does i on fret comfort that Go is working
Cheryl Blow I read Samson’s Riddle and thought of my son . I know God can use his reckless behavior for His purpose.
When Samson and his parents were on the way to Timnah and the lion showed up; Samson ripped the lion up but didn’t tell his mom and dad what happened. How did they not see this?
I feel the same way often, but we’re probably overlooking all of the small ways that we glorify our God. We’re not all put here to be “famous”. Let’s look for our small victories and hold on to our salvation and look forward to Heaven!
This is such a powerful warning about the desires of our 5 senses. A lot to think about.
Happy Wednesday. @Lanie praying you get positive feedback from your doctor! @GramsieSue – praying for Steve! Praying for ALL prayer requests love to you all.
❤️❤️❤️
Samson forgot his calling from God as we so easily get distracted by earthly things or desires.
♥️
I could say “ditto” Traci!
Thanks for all the comments that make us see more than reading alone!
I don’t necessarily think Verse 1 suggests the Philistine woman enticed Samson. It is not clear that she did something at fault in that verse.
Guess my thoughts are two-fold:
1. What blessing did Samson & Israel forego from his disobedience? What greater blessings might’ve been their’s if the judge of their time modelled wholehearted faith? (And thus, what blessing do I deny my community/church/family etc. when I’m unfaithful?)
2. Secret sin is still sin. Just because my parents or friends or church fam didn’t find out doesn’t mean it’s basically fine. It’s still sin against a holy God, aside from the potential devastating consequences to the people around me, it also diminishes me. Yes, God can and may still use me, but when He’s counting upon someone spiritually mature He’s going to scroll on past my number.
Don’t know why Samson has never hit me as personally before – maybe because I get too distracted by the madness of it all – but wow is it hitting tonight.
KELLY (NEO) and ADRIENNE. I too saw for the first time that Samsons desire to marry a Philistine woman came from God to achieve a specific purpose. Samsons demanding arrogance has always struck me as spoiled and off putting. Had to stop and think again when reading about God’s greater purpose. Once again… HIS ways are not my way.
Praying for Steve to be encouraged and refreshed @ Grammie Sue
Amen and Amen
More of God….less of me. This is the prayer I need to pray.
Almost 30 years ago I remember saying to my friend, “I feel reckless, but I’m going to do it anyway.” I had been recently divorced and was interested in my friends brother. We ended up dating and it was bad. He was using drugs (I had no idea as I was not of that world!) I was doing my Bible studies, but yet went against what I knew was right. This man ended up being verbally, emotionally, and physically abusive. It was a terrible time in my life. I was just like the Israelites.
BUT God saved me from all this. It did leave scars and they took time to heal. I pray that God will help me to keep my eyes up on Him and only Him.
“…sometimes we allow our senses to run after other things, instead of using them to pursue God.”- Ginny
Samson let his senses overrule his good sense!
From NKJV Wiersbe Study Bible :
“First the Philistine woman enticed him (v. 1), then she controlled him (v. 17), and then she betrayed him (v. 17), which is the way the world always treats the compromising believer. Samson could kill lions and break ropes, but he couldn’t overcome the power of a woman’s tears.”
Enticed, controlled, betrayed – important pattern to recognize through discernment.
Of all the background study, this spoke most directly to me (from Max Lucado) –
“Small deeds can change the world. Sow the mustard seed. Bury the leaven lump. Make the call. Write the check. Organize the committee. Years from now someone might follow your example.
Moses had a staff.
David had a sling.
Samson had a jawbone.
Rahab had a string.
Mary had some ointment.
Aaron had a rod.
Dorcas had a needle.
All were used by God.
What do you have?
God inhabits the tiny seed, empowers the tiny deed. He cures the common life by giving no common life, by offering no common gifts. Don’t discount the smallness of your deeds.
Pray for strength to do your work. Pray for yourself and others close to you: your family, pastor, friends. Let the Holy Spirit do extraordinary work in you.”
MOLLY R – I appreciated your visual of your morning yesterday and thought of your comment as I read Max’s post. ❤
Praying for each of you and especially for you, LANI, and GRAMIESUE/STEVE!
Ephesians 1:18 – I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called — his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Good morning! I am going in for another pet scan. I know God has completely healed me of the stage 4 c Thai was diagnosed with last November. Thank him for my healing.
This stood out to me: 3 But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” 4 His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.
Sometimes, God will use even our selfish desires to accomplish His will. He still is working. This is not to say our selfish desires are right but just to show God is in control. It seems all through Judges, God uses flawed people to accomplish his will.
I pray for more of God and less of me.
Praying for all of you!
Praying for you Lanie
Praying for you and Steve Gramsiesue ❤️
Praying for you Lanie. I had two miscarriages. {hugs}
Praying for you Lanie. ❤️ May the Lord’s presence and peace be tangible as you navigate today. Praying you feel His comfort and His voice as He walks beside you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
So thankful for our Gift of Jesus!
So thankful for God who never leaves us!
So thankful for the unfailing love of God!
Be blessed today sweet sisters!
Steve isn’t improving yet and is very frustrated by this turn of events. I’m praying for God to send him some encouragement today. ❤️
Hugs to all of you
@Mari V- same here <3
God bless you and your daughter!
Lol, this book certainly is frustrating. You want so badly for the people of Israel to do well… But here they are being … Human. I get frustrated with their actions but as some of you pointed out, aren’t we not so different? It really made me angry when Samson violated his vow and ate honey from the lion’s carcass. “Have you no fear of God? Just because your parents don’t know, doesn’t mean God can’t see you,” I thought.
But just like us, he was giving an appearance of righteousness but inwardly, he was struggling with sin.
And this is why we are blessed to have a true and perfect Savior that does not “judge by the the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears (Isaiah 11:3) but with righteousness…”
Praying peace to you @Lanie at this appointment. May you rest in knowing He is with you and loves you so much!
@A Walton- continuing to think of your family this morning and pray blessings over you!
So glad to “see” you girls every morning :) have a good Wednesday and happy November!
Prayers for you ❤️
Yes, KELLY )NEO), let us always remember those things.
Some morning thoughts… I always thought of Samson as spoiled… seeing and wanting what HE wants. But God had a plan. That helps me.(And, aren’t I kinda spoiled too, in that respect? Wait… don’t answer that!) AND, I have always wondered why it was called a riddle, as it was based on something others would need to see. (A swarm of bees in a lion carcass would not be a commonplace thing, I don’t imagine? How would they know the answer to this riddle, in other words, unless they saw it?)
And yes also, MARI V., we don’t know each other here, but how fabulous will it be to meet each other in heaven… we’ll know who each other is!
Be blessed today, and every day, sweet She’s! He’s got you (and whatever you may be facing)!
I echo your prayer @Kristine Loughman that my longings would align with God’s heart. I’m thankful for the constant reminder of Jesus throughout this study. We did nothing to earn our salvation – it is freely given and freely maintained. Thankful for a Jesus who never gives up on His wayward people <3
Lanie, praying for you ❤️ May the Lord meet your needs and grant you His peace. Praying that you conceive again, if it be His will.
Amen!!
Hi friends,
Today I’m going to the doctor and it’s the first time back since my miscarriage about 7 months ago. I have not gotten pregnant again, so Im anxious to see what the doctor will say. I don’t even know what I want to hear today, but I know I need prayers. Please send them my way ♥️
Thank You Jesus!
@kristine that statement also caught my attention, “right in his own eye.” How much do I see something that I like & justify in my mind so I can have it.
Lord May what is right in my eye be of you.
❤️
Judges 14: 4 But his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord …
19 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily … (NKJV)
God is always working, and His purposes/plan cannot be thwarted. In Samson’s self-centeredness, in Samson’s anger, in our seeking of our own path rather than seeking Him, He is always working.
CEE GEE – amen ❤️
MICHELLE PATIRE ❤️
HL – praying for your job search and upcoming decisions
MARI V – praying as you continue to learn and adapt in your new job
ADRIENNE ❤️
GRAMSIESUE – praying for you and Steve
ALEIDA – praying Victor
MARTHA HIX ❤️
KELLY (NEO) – yes, we need to always remember!
How often do I long for something that I’ve decided is “right in my eyes” without stopping to consider if it’s really right for me? Samson saw something, someone, and without much debate or counsel, decided – that one (points like a toddler at a new toy). Lord, guard my longings. Oh that I would long for things of Your heart.
Happy November, friends! I find myself longing for the advent season soon to come.
“If only he and they would have remembered the beauty of the Lord and the powerful calling He had given them. If only we could remember this too.”
REMEMBER God’s mercy
REMEMBER God’s loving-kindness
REMEMBER God’s forgiveness
Satan, the liar, only wants us to remember the ways we followed him (sin).
REMEMBER your redemption
REMEMBER your election
REMEMBER your adoption
A WALTON – so sorry for your continued struggles. Thankful for your friends who have stepped up to help you.
HL – continued prayers for your job search
Samson’s strength saved Israel temporarily, but God had to send one who could save permanently. One with “a Spirit of wisdom and understanding…counsel and strength…and of the fear of the LORD”
This right here spoke to my heart, for sure.
So so very thankful for the gift of “One with a Spirit of wisdom and understanding… Council and strength… And of fear of the Lord”
BUT GOD..
So thankful..
AMEN.
Happy Wednesday beautiful women of God, my sisters in Christ.. Covering you in love, hugs and prayers in response to requests..❤