Journey Thru The Bible! (Judges 16 - 18)

Click on the Scripture above to read today's exciting text!

1) The careless life of Samson! Today's text begins with the ending of Samson's life! He served Israel for twenty years as a leader. In fact, he did more to protect Israel against their Philistine enemies than anyone else. But, he was careless with his life. Here's why:

- As a Nazarite, he wasn't supposed to touch "dead" things, but he did!
- As a Israelite, he wasn't to marry outside his nation, but he did!
- As God's chosen man, he should have never gone to a prostitute, but he did!

He was careless about his relationship with women, especially with Delilah. He told her "the secret" to his strength. Actually, as I mentioned yesterday, his hair was NOT "the secret" to his strength...God was!

The story of Samson is one of the most remarkable stories in the Bible! And, he is one of the most talked about persons in the Bible. He has been dubbed the "strongest man who's ever lived!" But, there's a secret to his strength, and it's NOT his hair! He may have lost his strength when the Philistines cut his hair, but that's NOT what gave him his strength. The reason for Samson's weakness and his subsequent capture by the Philistines was NOT the cutting of his hair, but that through the cutting of his hair it ended the Nazarite vow upon him (an act of disobedience) and the Spirit of the Lord did not come upon him at that time! Without God's help, Samson was as weak as any other man!

Notice that at the end of chapter 16, Samson prays to the Lord and asks Him for the strength to bring down the crowded stadium. Samson's strength came from the Lord! And so does ours!

2) The careless life of the people of Israel! Chapter 17 and 18 is the sad story of how Israel had lost touch with God. It begins with the story of Micah, who worshiped pagan idols and hired a Levite to administer the office of being his own personal priest. Even the Danites got caught up in this and stole Micah's images and the priest just before going to war. Israel was without a leader, and therefore "everyone did as he saw fit" (17:6). How careless they had become!

Every group of people needs a leader! Most people are followers and require someone to lead them. And, it's typically the leaders responsibility to set the standard. People look to leaders to know what to do. It's just an innate sense within people. They need someone they can see with their own eyes, hear with their own ears, and know in order to find the boundaries in which to live. Sadly, however, when it comes to living a life with integrity and in having a relationship with God most people never rise above the level of the integrity and/or spirituality of their leader.

Well, these are a few of my thoughts for today, what are yours? Let me know! God bless, and have a great day in the Lord! Make sure you attend a good, Bible-centered, Bible-teaching church today!