Judges 13-14
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." Romans 12:6a
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 15:7
After their last bout with idol worship, the Israelites became very contrite, and God sent them a leader named Jephthah, who rescued them from the Ammonites and ruled over them for six years. He was followed by three judges, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. After their rule the Israelites fell back into idol worship. Would they never learn? This time God allowed the Philistines to oppress them for forty years, the longest recorded time of oppression.
A man named Samson stepped onto the stage of history at this point. Charles Swindoll called him "a he man with a she weakness." Unfortunately, this is a pretty apt description.
Samson had a great start in life. An angel told his parents they would have a son. In a time of widespread wickedness, Samson was born to godly parents who were eager to raise him well. God chose for Samson to be a Nazarite from birth. A Nazarite was a person who was especially dedicated to God and to God's service. Judges 13:24-25 tells us that the Lord blessed Samson, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him. He had everything going for him. But Samson failed to live up to his potential. He used his incredible strength selfishly. He allowed himself to be distracted by women. He could have been a much better leader with all the assets God had given him. Nevertheless, Samson led Israel for twenty years. He began freeing the Israelites from the Philistines, but their deliverance was continued under Samuel and completed under David.
The right kind of woman can be very good for a man, but the wrong kind can be very harmful. Samson got mixed up with the wrong kind of women. Two were Philistine women who were more loyal to their people than to Samson, and they sold Samson out. Scripture also mentions a tryst with a prostitute.
In Judges & Ruth- Everyman's Bible Commentary, Arthur Lewis says, "No one could ask for a better start in life. He enjoyed every endowment a person could hope for...Samson had great potential and many opportunities to use his gifts for God's purpose and glory." Sadly, his selfishness and his lust for the wrong kind of women kept him from being the leader he should have been.
God has given each of us gifts and opportunities to use our gifts for His purposes and His glory. Are we living up to our potential? Are we using well the resources God has given us to serve Him?
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