November is around the corner, and beginning this Sunday I will return to our tradition of giving thanks in the month of Thanksgiving. We will do that every week leading up to the first Sunday in Advent. So here are choices: Finish Jephthah and forget about Samson but join us Sunday for Thanksgiving. Do Jephthah and Samson (Samson is short.) The Thanksgiving posts will be quite short as I want to keep you with me!
Watching Paige is optional — but I do hope you watch the last 23 minutes — from minute 1:09 to to 1:32. It’s powerful. But still, optional. In this study I’m leaning on Tim Keller’s excellent commentary. If you choose to watch some or all of Paige, find the link at the bottom.
Wednesday: “Get her for me, she is right in my eyes.”
1. In what ways has the Lord given you strength, wisdom, or comfort in the last week?
The statue below depicts Samson tearing apart a lion.(Judges 14:5-7)

Tim Keller says that Samson reflected the tendency of God’s people to do what was right in their own eyes instead of what was right in God’s eyes. In his commentary, he also shows how both believers and the church have become increasingly conformed to the world.
2. The story the above statue depicts is told in Judges 14:1-7. Read that passage.
A. What does Samson ask of his parents and why is this ironical since he is the judge who is to deliver God’s people from the Philistines?
B. How do his parents answer him?
C. How do you see disrespect toward his parents and his God?
D. Tim Keller says the NIV translation of verse 3 misses the point, saying “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” ESV says “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” How, according to the last verse of Judges does Samson reflect God’s people in the way he makes decisions?
Samson begins to show disdain for his Nazarite vow…As a Naziarite, he cannot touch a dead animal, and should now go straight to the tabernacle for cleansing. But he is on his way to see the woman he wants — clearly his lust overwhelms his vows.
Tim Keller, Judges for You
Paige adds he goes on to break the other two parts of his vow with drinking in the wedding feast and finally allowing Delilah to cut his hair. Why? Because Samson thinks his strength is his own, and not from the Lord.
E. Yet, despite Samson’s disobedience, how do we see (verse 4) that God is still in control and still has mercy for His disobedient people, who, this time, did not even cry out for help?
Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of The Jesus Storybook Bible, says that as a member of Keller’s church her stories are simply Keller’s stories paraphrased for children. She says: Some people think the Bible is a book of heroes — it has heroes in it, but many did really bad things….no, the Bible is not a book of heroes, but points to one Hero…
F. Share a time God showed you mercy even though you did not cry out to Him.
Thursday: How To Discern What is Right Despite the Deceitfulness of Our Hearts
3. Contrast Judges 13:1 with the very last verse in the book of Judges. Whose eyes, according to these passages, were most important to the people of Israel?
Sin does not ultimately consist of violating our own standards or violating community standards, but rather consists of violating God’s will for us.
Tim Keller, Judges for You
When Tim Keller was interviewed by a Canadian podcaster, Keller asked: “How do you persuade someone that something is wrong when he thinks it is right, and his culture thinks it is right?” Only through transcendental truth from the Word of God.
Nazis thought it was right to kill Jews, slaveholders thought it was right to own slaves, many Asian countries bound the feet of women, crippling them, because they thought small feet were beautiful. Many in our culture believe it is right to kill babies in the womb. But God’s Word says was are made in the image of God, and that every life therefore is sacred and to be treated as such.
4. How does the above speak to you in the way you treat others, whatever their appearance, age, usefulness, or pleasantness?
5. Paige has challenged us, through Jephthah’s story, to be aware of how we have been conformed to our culture. Keller, likewise, says we are always finding ways to rationalize sins such as materialism or worry or bitterness or pride. How have these lessons in Judges caused you to reflect on your own choices? Where do you need prayer?
Friday: Samson, Christ’s Opposite
6. Repeatedly in Scripture, God lifts a barren woman out of shame with a miraculous pregnancy. How do you see this with Samson’s mother? (See Judges 13:2-5)
7. In contrast, how did Mary’s pregnancy, instead of lifting her out of shame, bring the possibility of shame to her?
8. How did Samson show disrespect for his parents and for the Lord? How was this the opposite of how Jesus lived?
9. Samson died because of his own disobedience. For whose disobedience did Jesus die?
10. Read Judges 16:18-31
A. What happened in verses 16 to 22?
B. Keller said there are several evidences in verses 18-22 that Samson didn’t really believe his strength came from the Lord. Can you find them?
C. This is the only time Samson cries out to the Lord. What is his prayer? How does God use it for good?
The Samson narrative begins with a strong man who is revealed to be weak, but it ends with a weak man who is stronger than ever he was before.
David Jackman (Judges, Ruth)
D. How is Samson who came in strength and ended in weakness the opposite of Christ?
E. Samson’s death achieved the limited role God has raised him up for — to “begin the deliverance of Israel.” How was the death of Jesus different according to Hebrews 10:10?
Saturday: Take-A-Ways
11. For me, the biggest take-away is not to be conformed to the culture! I know I am not conformed to things that have gone crazy like endorsing abortion, the whole LGBT agenda, and celebrating Halloween like it was Christmas. But I need to search my soul and think about things like this:
How the world measures women by their outward beauty — and how much time and money I put into how I look.
How the world neglects the poor and how much do I care? Look at my spending and time? Same with the lost.
How the world puts their trust in politics. How will I handle the outcome of this election whatever it is?
What about you? What’s your biggest takeaway from Judges and how is it causing you to change your life?
12. What will you take away from each of the following and why?
A. Othniel (and Ehud, the left-handed deliverer)
B. Gideon
C. Jephthah
D. Samson
This is Paige on Samson — optional this week! If you watch, share anything you’ve learned!
32 comments
1. In what ways has the Lord given you strength, wisdom, or comfort in the last week?
—Last Sunday after our son finished his last sermon as pastor of our church the Elder board gathered in front of the congregation and expressed their appreciation for his 10 years of ministry and then had any from the congregation who wanted to come forward and place hands on he and his wife as they prayed over him. The room was filled with hands on shoulders reaching all the way around Tyce and Bethany. As I stood next to him it was a very bittersweet time of many tears and yet a sense of real blessing from God. I find comfort in the Lord and trust He is doing a new thing in my son’s life and ministry and in our church and its ministry to our community. He was able to step down from his position on very good terms.
That is beautiful! I add my prayers to that of the congregation that God will guide them and be with them.
2. The story the above statue depicts is told in Judges 14:1-7. Read that passage.
A. What does Samson ask of his parents and why is this ironical since he is the judge who is to deliver God’s people from the Philistines?
—He saw a Philistine woman who caught his eye and decided he wanted her for his wife. He demanded that his parents get her for him even though she was a pagan from the very nation of people God had said he would use Samson to deliver Israel from.
B. How do his parents answer him?
—They objected questioning him about looking for a wife from their own tribe or from among all the Israelites trying to discourage him from taking a pagan wife.
C. How do you see disrespect toward his parents and his God?
—His parents were correct in their trying to direct him away from intermarriage with a foreign wife because God had given the Israelites those instructions to not intermarry and when they refused to follow God’s instructions given to Moses it had led them away from serving God to serving idols.
D. How, according to the last verse of Judges does Samson reflect God’s people in the way he makes decisions?
—“In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Judges 21:25 NLT
Samson was choosing to do what seemed right in his own eyes. In other words what was pleasing to himself.
E. Yet, despite Samson’s disobedience, how do we see (verse 4) that God is still in control and still has mercy for His disobedient people, who, this time, did not even cry out for help?
—God was using Samson in spite of Samson. Samson had been designated by God for a specific work against the Philistines who were ruling over Israel who were God’s people.
F. Share a time God showed you mercy even though you did not cry out to Him.
—I am having a hard time thinking of a specific time or situation where God has shown me mercy even though I know there are some. But it is clear in my heart and mind that the ultimate act of mercy on my behalf is the Cross. I was a sinner without hope when Jesus died on the Cross for my sin.
I’m so glad to be back, but our trip to New England with friends, maybe for the last time, was wonderful. We believe and trust that Tim will be healed from lung cancer. AMEN
Wednesday: “Get her for me, she is right in my eyes.”
1. In what ways has the Lord given you strength, wisdom, or comfort in the last week? – We traveled to New England with Tim and Deb, very close friends. Tim has stage 4 lung cancer and will find out on the 14th if it has spread to other places in his body. If it has, there is nothing he will do and could be gone by spring. If it’s contained, they, the doctors, feel confident radiation will work and give him 5 years. It was a bittersweet trip with tears and laughter. But God showed me that death will come to us, we are not promised tomorrow, and we don’t know when our time on earth will be done. Seeing Tim and Deb enjoy New England, possibly one more time, has made me think more about what I’m doing with my time. Who am I making priority, what is important to me? I need to find the joy in every moment that I have left and as the Tim McGraw song says, “Live Like You Were Dying” I need to make sure I am.
So good to have you back — sounds like a bittersweet trip. Good song from Tim McGraw.
1. In what ways has the Lord given you strength, wisdom, or comfort in the last week?
I have strength through people around me who are praying. I have comfort through worship music. I have wisdom in remembering past generations who “made it” through hard times. Thank You Lord, for being Lord.
2. The story the above statue depicts is told in Judges 14:1-7. Read that passage.
A. What does Samson ask of his parents and why is this ironical since he is the judge who is to deliver God’s people from the Philistines?
He asks them if he can marry a Phillistinian woman. If he married her then he would have to live with her instead of ousting her with the other Phillistinians.
B. How do his parents answer him?
They object!
C. How do you see disrespect toward his parents and his God?
He is supposed to honor both his parents and God. By joining with this woman, he is dishonoring both.
D. Tim Keller says the NIV translation of verse 3 misses the point, saying “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” ESV says “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” How, according to the last verse of Judges does Samson reflect God’s people in the way he makes decisions?
Do you mean verse 7? My version says,
“His father and mother objected. “Isn’t there even one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?” they asked. “Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me! She looks good to me.””
Judges 14:3 NLT
The Israelites are always caught up in their idols!
I’m confused — I did mean verse 7. ESV says “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” That’s a better translation according Keller and contrasts on how Samson does things that are right in his eyes instead of the Lord’s eyes.
Praying for your court times.
Thanks Dee.
To update on court…the GAL (guardian ad litem) has been given until Jan 1 to complete her report. We could not have her visit last weekend because Cooper had pneumonia. He is better now. The holidays are coming up now and we would like her to visit. Praying she finds the time. Nothing came of the court session on Thursday other than to make me feel uncomfortable (I have never had to be in court for anything in my life). We look bad because we are not only guardians of the kids but also their documents. Our daughter wants documents from us because she is trying to move the kids to NYC (?!). They are trying to prove they need a 3 bedroom apartment. We are not readily giving them the documents because we don’t think it’s a good idea at all. NYC is a very scary place to be these days. The judge ruled, for the time being, that they have to provide paperwork to show why they need the documents. Next court date pending.
Please continue to pray if you think of us. Please pray that Cooper and Grace will be safe and happy whatever the outcome. Please pray that my/our hearts are not broken too badly of it is ruled the guardianship should be terminated. Please pray that we will be given the right to visit with the kids on a regular basis.
Prayers as you have requested and for peace and wisdom for you and your husband.
Wednesday: “Get her for me, she is right in my eyes.”
2. The story the above statue depicts is told in Judges 14:1-7. Read that passage.
A. What does Samson ask of his parents and why is this ironical since he is the judge who is to deliver God’s people from the Philistines? – He wanted his parents to get the Philistine woman for him as his wife. It didn’t make sense because his purpose was to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines.
B. How do his parents answer him? – They replied that they thought he should find someone among his own people.
C. How do you see disrespect toward his parents and his God? – He didn’t care what they said or thought, he acted like a child having a temper tantrum. And God wasn’t even in the picture in Samson’s mind, he didn’t reach out to God in any way with this thought. It was all about what he wanted.
D. Tim Keller says the NIV translation of verse 3 misses the point, saying “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” ESV says “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” How, according to the last verse of Judges does Samson reflect God’s people in the way he makes decisions? – In Judges 21:25 the people again do whatever they want. There is no thought about anyone else. It’s all about the individual and not about God’s people at all.
Samson begins to show disdain for his Nazarite vow…As a Nazarite, he cannot touch a dead animal and should now go straight to the tabernacle for cleansing. But he is on his way to see the woman he wants — clearly his lust overwhelms his vows.
Tim Keller, Judges for You
Paige adds he goes on to break the other two parts of his vow with drinking in the wedding feast and finally allowing Delilah to cut his hair. Why? Because Samson thinks his strength is his own, and not from the Lord.
Both of the above points were so good. My husband and I really enjoyed this study and watching Paige. We commented that we need to definitely be reading in a deeper mode and not just surface read.
E. Yet, despite Samson’s disobedience, how do we see (verse 4) that God is still in control and still has mercy for His disobedient people, who, this time, did not even cry out for help? – The Lord was putting everything in line for Samson, good or bad, the outcome was going to bring glory to God.
Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of The Jesus Storybook Bible, says that as a member of Keller’s church her stories are simply Keller’s stories paraphrased for children. She says: Some people think the Bible is a book of heroes — it has heroes in it, but many did really bad things….no, the Bible is not a book of heroes, but points to one Hero…
F. Share a time God showed you mercy even though you did not cry out to Him. – I’m trying to remember a specific time, and what comes to mind is when we went to buy a used car. I saw a cute little sports car, low miles and very reasonably priced. As I was driving it home, I felt unsettled about it and kept thinking, man what did we do. It was cute, cheap and low miles, but there was no God thought at all, and I knew it in my spirit we messed up. Once we got it home, the next day it wouldn’t start. The dealer sent someone out to look at it and it ended up being towed away to be fixed. Once we got it back, and tried it again the next day, it wouldn’t start again and we smelt something burning. God stepped in at this time, opened the hearts of the dealer and our salesman and the car was returned to the dealer, the sale was wiped off the book, our downpayment went to a more reasonable and sensible car. Only God’s mercy saved us from a disastrous time. Thank you Lord!
What a great story of God’s mercy with the car! I love your husband watched Paige with you.
1. In what ways has the Lord given you strength, wisdom, or comfort in the last week? I found out yesterday to have a dental procedure and don’t have dental insurance. I had a chance encounter with someone who told me about a plan that isn’t insurance but will provide for a discount from in network providers. All the dentists I will need to see are in network so it will save me money. I felt like God was saying see I’m taking care of you.
The story the above statue depicts is told in Judges 14:1-7. Read that passage.
A. What does Samson ask of his parents and why is this ironical since he is the judge who is to deliver God’s people from the Philistines? To get him a particular Philistine woman to marry. The Israelites were better no oppressed by the Philistines and that is the people God wanted to help give relief from,
B. How do his parents answer him? couldn’t he find someone from their own relatives or people rather than from uncircumcised Philistines?
C. How do you see disrespect toward his parents and his God? The way he demanded they do what he wanted and that Israelites weren’t supposed to intermarry with non Jews
D. Tim Keller says the NIV translation of verse 3 misses the point, saying “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” ESV says “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” How, according to the last verse of Judges does Samson reflect God’s people in the way he makes decisions? In those days the people did what was right in their own eyes. He wanted and demanded he have his own way not God’s way.
He is taking care of you!
E. Yet, despite Samson’s disobedience, how do we see (verse 4) that God is still in control and still has mercy for His disobedient people, who, this time, did not even cry out for help? It says that his parents didn’t realize God was looking for a time to confront the Philistines
Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of The Jesus Storybook Bible, says that as a member of Keller’s church her stories are simply Keller’s stories paraphrased for children. She says: Some people think the Bible is a book of heroes — it has heroes in it, but many did really bad things….no, the Bible is not a book of heroes, but points to one Hero…
F. Share a time God showed you mercy even though you did not cry out to Him. Once when driving in a snow storm and low on gas late in the evening, we decided to pull into a small town and look to see if they had a motel When we drove by a closed gas station an employee pulled in to top off his gas tank and agreed to sell us gas so we could continue traveling. Without it we would have been stranded for a few days because weather only got worse.
Such great God timing in your story!
3. Contrast Judges 13:1 with the very last verse in the book of Judges. Whose eyes, according to these passages, were most important to the people of Israel? The people were continuing to do what they wanted. Chapter 13 people did evil in eyes of the Lord in chapter 21 they just did as they pleased in their own eyes. What mattered to themselves was most important.
Sin does not ultimately consist of violating our own standards or violating community standards, but rather consists of violating God’s will for us.
Tim Keller, Judges for You
When Tim Keller was interviewed by a Canadian podcaster, Keller asked: “How do you persuade someone that something is wrong when he thinks it is right, and his culture thinks it is right?” Only through transcendental truth from the Word of God.
Nazis thought it was right to kill Jews, slaveholders thought it was right to own slaves, many Asian countries bound the feet of women, crippling them, because they thought small feet were beautiful. Many in our culture believe it is right to kill babies in the womb. But God’s Word says was are made in the image of God, and that every life therefore is sacred and to be treated as such.
4. How does the above speak to you in the way you treat others, whatever their appearance, age, usefulness, or pleasantness? Your comment that we are all created in the image of God for me necessitates that I treat others with respect no matter what. There should be no except for….
5. Paige has challenged us, through Jephthah’s story, to be aware of how we have been conformed to our culture. Keller, likewise, says we are always finding ways to rationalize sins such as materialism or worry or bitterness or pride. How have these lessons in Judges caused you to reflect on your own choices? Where do you need prayer? I’m struggling with the changes in my life. So I have to be very careful that I dont treat temporal things with a clasped and closed fist. God loves a cheerful giver. I do ask Him to help me trust Him more and not to give into fretting or worry.
F. Share a time God showed you mercy even though you did not cry out to Him.
When I was in college, I was very far from the Lord. What a miserable person was I! When I came back to Him, I knew I was in the right place. He was merciful and my life was complete. My running back to Him was because of my kids. I knew they needed more in their sweet lives. They needed what my parents afforded me and my siblings. I have been with Him since those days, and my children have been the impetus as to why I am such a strong believer today.
E. Yet, despite Samson’s disobedience, how do we see (verse 4) that God is still in control and still has mercy for His disobedient people, who, this time, did not even cry out for help?
Whoops, forgot E!
His plan was to use Samson to help conquer the Phillistines.
3. Contrast Judges 13:1 with the very last verse in the book of Judges. Whose eyes, according to these passages, were most important to the people of Israel?
In 13:1 God’s eyes were considered, but by the end of the book of Judges, the people did what they wanted in their own eyes.
“In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Judges 21:25 NLT
4. How does the above speak to you in the way you treat others, whatever their appearance, age, usefulness, or pleasantness?
Since I teach kids, I have to have lots of patience. I remind myself most days that “…these kids were all made in the image of God and He loves them.” It helps me remember who I am and holds me to a higher standard then if I didn’t consider this. Funny, but I struggle with this with my own kids.
5. Paige has challenged us, through Jephthah’s story, to be aware of how we have been conformed to our culture. Keller, likewise, says we are always finding ways to rationalize sins such as materialism or worry or bitterness or pride. How have these lessons in Judges caused you to reflect on your own choices? Where do you need prayer?
To be honest, I have struggled with the knowledge received these past few weeks, in understanding how the stories have applied to my life. Just keeping up was challenging, and so applying the Word to my life was surely difficult as well. I think knowing God will continue to pursue me is comforting. I could always use prayer though, and for me it would be with making unhealthy choices with respect to my body. In fact the whole body image thing is always something I struggle with, and would love to release, for my life to be more as He would like me to live.
Judges is so hard and I’m proud of you for keeping up, Laura. You are so faithful.
Thursday: How To Discern What is Right Despite the Deceitfulness of Our Hearts
3. Contrast Judges 13:1 with the very last verse in the book of Judges. Whose eyes, according to these passages, were most important to the people of Israel. There is no difference, sadly. They have been doing evil from the start and have not made any heart changes. They do what they want, with no thought to anyone else and especially not to God. Their own progress and gain is what is important. God is an afterthought.
Sin does not ultimately consist of violating our own standards or violating community standards, but rather consists of violating God’s will for us. – Tim Keller, Judges for You
When Tim Keller was interviewed by a Canadian podcaster, Keller asked: “How do you persuade someone that something is wrong when he thinks it is right, and his culture thinks it is right?” Only through transcendental truth from the Word of God.
Nazis thought it was right to kill Jews, slaveholders thought it was right to own slaves, many Asian countries bound the feet of women, crippling them, because they thought small feet were beautiful. Many in our culture believe it is right to kill babies in the womb. But God’s Word says we are made in the image of God, and that every life therefore is sacred and to be treated as such.
4. How does the above speak to you in the way you treat others, whatever their appearance, age, usefulness, or pleasantness? – All of the above are such good reminders that we are all made in the image of God and our journeys are different. Trying to be open and understanding to other’s thoughts can be hard, especially when I’m so passionate about things I believe to be true. But I really try to let others have their own thoughts and know that we may have to disagree on some things. What I don’t understand and haven’t figured out how to handle approaching someone who thinks differently from me in a mild way. I know that pointing them back to what God says it what I should do, but this is hard for me at times, and I need to need to be me bold about it. Because in the end, I’m finding, it’s not about me, it’s about the glory of God and everyone knowing who He is. That is the important factor that I need to make known.
5. Paige has challenged us, through Jephthah’s story, to be aware of how we have been conformed to our culture. Keller, likewise, says we are always finding ways to rationalize sins such as materialism or worry or bitterness or pride. How have these lessons in Judges caused you to reflect on your own choices? Where do you need prayer? – For me it can be so easy to lose sight of God, His power, love, grace and mercy for me and fall into the trap of the enemy’s hand. Things may look all rosy and fun, but it’s more important to see the inner side of everyone and everything. God looks at the heart, and that is what I need to do. I need to ask him to give me discernment and eyes to see the truth of all things so I can reflect on things from above at all times. My prayer need would be to always see others as God see them, as His creation that He loves.
I echo Julie’s prayer: My prayer need would be to always see others as God see them, as His creation that He loves.
Friday: Samson, Christ’s Opposite
6. Repeatedly in Scripture, God lifts a barren woman out of shame with a miraculous pregnancy. How do you see this with Samson’s mother? (See Judges 13:2-5) – An angel of the Lord came and told her everything about her being barren and that she would conceive, and God would be with the baby, Samson, from the womb. The angel of the Lord gave her detailed instructions on what to and not to do.
7. In contrast, how did Mary’s pregnancy, instead of lifting her out of shame, bring the possibility of shame to her? – Mary was not yet married to Joseph so she had the shame of others thinking she was unfaithful to him. To be pregnant and not married in that culture was not good.
8. How did Samson show disrespect for his parents and for the Lord? How was this the opposite of how Jesus lived? – Samson did not care about who he was, or what is parents had thought. He did whatever pleased him and brought him joy. Jesus always asked the Father first, he always went to him for direction and guidance. Jesus lifted others up to the Father before himself.
9. Samson died because of his own disobedience. For whose disobedience did Jesus die? – Sadly he died for my and all sinner’s disobedience.
10. Read Judges 16:18-31
A. What happened in verses 16 to 22? – Deliah kept pressing Samson to tell her what made him so strong. Samson gave her other reasons and then finally told her it was the hair on his head never being cut.
B. Keller said there are several evidences in verses 18-22 that Samson didn’t really believe his strength came from the Lord. Can you find them? – Vs 20, When he woke up and was told the Philistines were upon him, he said I will go free myself like other times; his strength left him, and he didn’t know the Lord left him as well.
The Samson narrative begins with a strong man who is revealed to be weak, but it ends with a weak man who is stronger than ever he was before. David Jackman (Judges, Ruth)
D. How is Samson who came in strength and ended in weakness the opposite of Christ? – Samson did everything without God. Though God chose him from the womb, he didn’t honor what was given to him. He puffed himself up, thinking his strength was from him alone and not God. Christ came as a baby who was weak and needed his parents to help him along the way. He then needed The Father to guide and instruct him. He did nothing unless he sought His Father first. Christ became weak for us, so we could be strong with the Father, and he did it all because he thought of us and loved us first.
E. Samson’s death achieved the limited role God has raised him up for — to “begin the deliverance of Israel.” How was the death of Jesus different according to Hebrews 10:10? – Jesus’ death was the will of the Father for our benefit, so we all could be sanctified by the body of Christ Jesus. It seems to me that Samson’s death was brought on by his disobedience and in the end delivered the Israelites from the Philistines. His disobedience stopped him from enjoying that deliverance as he died along with the Philistines. As I’m thinking about my last statement, it is ironic that he died with those he chose to live among and marry, the Philistines. The Israelites weren’t his people, he wanted something different.
6. Repeatedly in Scripture, God lifts a barren woman out of shame with a miraculous pregnancy. How do you see this with Samson’s mother? (See Judges 13:2-5) An angel of the Lord Appeared to her and and told her though she had been barren she would have a son.
7. In contrast, how did Mary’s pregnancy, instead of lifting her out of shame, bring the possibility of shame to her? Mary was in married. Samsons’s parents were married, but up until then had no children.
8. How did Samson show disrespect for his parents and for the Lord? How was this the opposite of how Jesus lived? He demanded they get him a Philistine woman for his wife. Though they tried to dissuade him, he was insistent. Jesus was obedient to his parents and the laws of God.
9. Samson died because of his own disobedience. For whose disobedience did Jesus die? Jesus has died for my disobedience and sin.
10. Read Judges 16:18-31
A. What happened in verses 16 to 22? Delilah nagged Samson into telling her how he would lose his strength so that the Philistines could capture him. Because he was a Nazareth dedicated to God in the womb his head was not to be shaved.
B. Keller said there are several evidences in verses 18-22 that Samson didn’t really believe his strength came from the Lord. Can you find them? He went to sleep in Delilah’s lap knowing that she was sharing the info about shaving his head to the Philistines who wanted to capture him. When he woke up he thought he would be as before and be able to free himself.
C. This is the only time Samson cries out to the Lord. What is his prayer? How does God use it for good? Sovereign Lord remember me. Strengthen me once more and let me get revenge on the Philistines for my eyes.
The Samson narrative begins with a strong man who is revealed to be weak, but it ends with a weak man who is stronger than ever he was before.
David Jackman (Judges, Ruth)
D. How is Samson who came in strength and ended in weakness the opposite of Christ? Christ came in weakness as a baby, but through His strength went to the cross and bore the weight of my sin so I could be set free from the penalty of my sin.
E. Samson’s death achieved the limited role God has raised him up for — to “begin the deliverance of Israel.” How was the death of Jesus different according to Hebrews 10:10. We have been made holy by Christ’s sacrifice of Himself(body) for all time. Samsons sacrifice on one day was only for those Philstines he killed. JESUS sacrifice was for all mankind.
Judy — I have pondered that Samson’s father wanted his own visit from the angel, perhaps because women were not believed, and the angel told him the exact same thing.
Good point. Samson’s has been confusing to me.
6. Repeatedly in Scripture, God lifts a barren woman out of shame with a miraculous pregnancy. How do you see this with Samson’s mother? (See Judges 13:2-5)
She was given a chance to have a baby when she had not been able to conceive prior to that. She and her husband’s desire to have a baby would be granted and she would fulfill as a wife.
7. In contrast, how did Mary’s pregnancy, instead of lifting her out of shame, bring the possibility of shame to her?
Mary conceived when she was not yet married. She and Joseph trusted God with the situation.
8. How did Samson show disrespect for his parents and for the Lord? How was this the opposite of how Jesus lived?
He disobeyed both. Jesus always did as God said. He was perfect.
9. Samson died because of his own disobedience. For whose disobedience did Jesus die?
Jesus died because of our disobedience.
Well done — Laura — and you are almost done with this series. 🙂
Saturday: Take-A-Ways
11. For me, the biggest take-away is not to be conformed to the culture! I know I am not conformed to things that have gone crazy like endorsing abortion, the whole LGBT agenda, and celebrating Halloween like it was Christmas. But I need to search my soul and think about things like this:
How the world measures women by their outward beauty — and how much time and money I put into how I look.
How the world neglects the poor and how much do I care? Look at my spending and time? Same with the lost.
How the world puts their trust in politics. How will I handle the outcome of this election whatever it is?
What about you? What’s your biggest takeaway from Judges and how is it causing you to change your life? – This was such a great study; Joe and I really enjoyed it. It’s sad though that they don’t keep her video teachings out there for others to fall upon. The biggest thing for me, was I need to daily search my heart. Am I obedient to this world, or to what God says in His Word. Am I trying to fit into this world or help them to see Jesus and all His glory through my walk. When God does something for me, am I quick to forget and easily start grumbling that he has forgotten me. I’ve seen Judges in such a new way through you, Dee and Paige.
12. What will you take away from each of the following and why?
A. Othniel (and Ehud, the left-handed deliverer) – The Israelites forgot God. Because what was true, did not become real to them. We need to make God center in our lives on a daily basis. And Ehud, they looked and saw only his weakness. They never thought God would use him because of it, but our weaknesses are no match for God’s plans. God can use any means and any person for His purpose.
B. Gideon – They cried out to God but didn’t want a relationship with the Lord. Gideon is a bad guy, but God still uses him. Gideon thinks he is wiser than God. The Israelites wanted things to be done for them, but didn’t want the change to be from within. They cried out to God with idols right behind them and God continues to reassure us. The fleece is the patience of God. Gideon has a split personality and redefines God’s purpose. He takes things into his own hands and turns on his own people with his sword, even though they didn’t threaten him. Our greatest danger is our success because it feeds our idolatry. We are grateful for what God gives us, but then we trust in those things instead of God. God’s heart is like Pi, it goes on forever and is our infinite constant in our life.
C. Jephthah – The Israelites would worship anything or anyone but God. When they repented it wasn’t with their hearts, it was because they sinned yet again and did evil in the eyes of the Lord. God delivered them but they never stayed with God, they always turned back to their evil ways. The Israelites did not seek God in their choice for Jephthah and after exiling him they chose him for his leadership qualities. God’s purpose is to always deliver his people. Jephthah was a manipulator and only talks to God once and it was to provide a bribe to him in exchange for God to help him win the war. His bribe ended up being the life of his only daughter for a win in the battle. When we live in this world, we tend to do what the culture expects us to do and not be set apart and do what God expects of us. Jephthah sacrificed his daughter for himself, Jesus sacrificed himself for us, because he loves us.
D. Samson – The Israelites were willing prisoners, willing to stay in bondage and not upset the Philistines. They never cried out to God at this point because they didn’t even realize they were in bondage. Samson came along and was miraculously raised up. He had no commitment to his calling on his life. He had selected convictions where he thought the people would decide and not God. This made him weak that he couldn’t keep the standards of God. He didn’t think he ever did wrong, because his ways were right, and God was wrong. He never had to turn to God because he always thought he was winning the battles and never was defeated. Samson thought he was invincible and never thought that God was his strength in these battles. Samson gave Delilah his heart and did not give it to God. When his hair was cut off, he didn’t even feel the presence of God leave him. His pride pushed God away, so he never really knew God. Samson at his lowest of lows finally sees, though he is now blind, that God was his strength all along. God is never limited by our weakness and can use us for his glory if we comply, even when we are flawed. God’s grace reverses everything. We can never cover up our sins, our mistakes, we can only call out to God.
Great job, star student!
11. For me, the biggest take-away is not to be conformed to the culture! I know I am not conformed to things that have gone crazy like endorsing abortion, the whole LGBT agenda, and celebrating Halloween like it was Christmas. But I need to search my soul and think about things like this:
How the world measures women by their outward beauty — and how much time and money I put into how I look.
How the world neglects the poor and how much do I care? Look at my spending and time? Same with the lost.
How the world puts their trust in politics. How will I handle the outcome of this election whatever it is?
What about you? What’s your biggest takeaway from Judges and how is it causing you to change your life? I’ve never inderstood some of the men in Judges. So many contradictions in character I expected a clearer picture of saintliness of the judge God used. My take away is that I didn’t see the big picture. God was able to use any man to accomplish His purposes regardless of what the rest of his life looked liked He is sovereign and is willing to work through a person for a specific task.
12. What will you take away from each of the following and why?
A. Othniel (and Ehud, the left-handed deliverer)
B. Gideon was told to do something and he resist d at first and needed reassurance before he proceeded. He trusted in what he heard in the Midianite camp about a dream interpretation rather than what he had been told which also involved a supernatural acceptance of his offering. I need to be careful when I need God’s reassurance. Am I failing to do something He has asked me to do or am I just needing reassurance on how He wants me to proceed.
C. Jephthah Jephthah missed the boat on how loving God is and failed to see that He is merciful. That I am to depend on God, honor Him and not get caught up in what “I” did and fail to see that I was just fortunate and blessed to be used by Almighty God and can do nothing of value without Him.
D. Samson Samson finally got it. With eye sight Samson’s vision for life didn’t include God. After he was blinded, he could see truth and called out to God, remember me. My life is to remember who God is and humble myself before Him and admit my need. I need to watch myself to recognize it’s His hand and grace if I do things in a godly manner.
It is a confusing book, but I think it is a reflection of their culture and ours, yet how God has mercy.