Judges 13-16

13:5 - I think it is interesting that the angel says that Samson will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. I think historically, it isn't long after this couple of hundred years or so that the Philistines are completely delivered from the Philistines through Saul and then David and Solomon. It is just that idea that you might be a part of God beginning something, so don't get to fired up or bummed out if you don't get to be the one that sees it come to fruition.

13:8 - Teach us how to bring up the boy - We should all pray this prayer, although I wonder if they listened well, because they sure seem to just give him whatever he wants.

13:12 - What is to be the rule that governs the boy's life and work? - Another great question we should be asking God about our children.

13:25 - and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him... - Oh, Lord, would you please begin to stir not only in us again, but in our sons!!!!

14:4 - His parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines... - It is really hard for me to get this. Samson basically looses his temper and the Bible says in some way it was part of God's plan. I trust the character and nature of God, so I am comfortable with it, but I don't fully grasp it.

14:6, 14:19, 15:14 - All these verses say that the Spirit of the Lord cam eon him in power. Just love it!!!!!

14:9 - Samson broke his Nazarite vow by touching the carcass of the dead lion.

14:10 - Samson broke his Nazarite vow by being a part of a drinking party. In the Hebrew the word for feast here is drinking festival that lasted 7 days.

It seems like one of the lessons to learn from this is to know who you are supposed to be in Christ and don't negotiate that. Had Samson stayed true to his Nazarite calling and let God lead him how much better off would Israel have been? If you figured out your role and then stuck to it without compromise how much stronger would the church be???

15:11 - I merely did to them what they did to me.- Living like this will get your eyes gouged out and leave you under a pile of rubble.

16:20 - ONE OF THE SADDEST VERSES IN THE ENTIRE BIBLE. But he did not know that the Lord had left him. God, may we never live in such a way that we do not know whether you are with us or not. May we always live where you stay with us and in us and your power rests on us.

Love, Michael