Life of Samson: #3 The Outcome of God’s Blessings Judges 14:5-14 01/27/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

The Outcome of God’s Blessings Introduction 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. (1 Cor 10:11, NIV)

The Outcome of God’s Blessings 5 Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him. (Judges 14:5, NIV)

The Outcome of God’s Blessings 6 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done. 7 Then he went down and talked with the woman, and he liked her. (Judges 14:6-7 NIV)

The Outcome of God’s Blessings 8 Some time later, when he went back to marry her, he turned aside to look at the lion's carcass. In it was a swarm of bees and some honey, (Judges 14:8, NIV)

The Outcome of God’s Blessings 9 which he scooped out with his hands and ate as he went along. When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion’s carcass. (Judges 14:9, NIV)

The Outcome of God’s Blessings 10 Now his father went down to see the woman. And Samson made a feast there, as was customary for bridegrooms. 11 When he appeared, he was given thirty companions. (Judges 14:10-11, NIV)

The Outcome of God’s Blessings 12 “Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can give me the answer within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. (Judges 14:12, NIV)

The Outcome of God’s Blessings 13 If you can’t tell me the answer, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.” “Tell us your riddle,” they said. “Let’s hear it.” 14 He replied, “Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet.” For three days they could not give the answer. (Judges 14:13, NIV)

The Outcome of God’s Blessings Details Omitted. Omitting details is the nature of God’s Word. Things I’d like to know in this passage include:

The Outcome of God’s Blessings Why Samson’s parents went down with him to Timnath when he was going to take a wife from the daughters of the Philistines. How did they get separated from Samson along the way? Our focus should be upon what God chose to reveal to us.

The Outcome of God’s Blessings Blessings Should Bring Us Closer to God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)

The Outcome of God’s Blessings The shock of this event should have caused Samson to stop and evaluate what he was doing and where he was going. This event along with the incredible victory God gave him should have drawn him closer to the Lord…but it didn’t!

The Outcome of God’s Blessings Samson violated the Nazarite vow. “Nazarite” = “to separate, or to consecrate.”

The Outcome of God’s Blessings The book of Numbers explains what that meant for the individual: No drinking of wine. No contact with anything that is dead. No cutting of their hair.

The Outcome of God’s Blessings The application for us. When God blesses us, it should draw us closer to Him. The closer we walk with God, the less likely we are to get involved in sin (2 Cor 6:14-17).

The Outcome of God’s Blessings Blessings Should also Make Us Humble. There’s no indication anywhere in this text that Samson, even for a moment, thought about the fact that it was God who gave him the strength to do what he did in the first place.

The Outcome of God’s Blessings There’s no worship. There’s no praise. There’s no thanksgiving

The Outcome of God’s Blessings They needed to see someone who would stand for God and God alone Samson failed to see God at work, because he was full of himself…pride is destructive in the life of a believer!

The Outcome of God’s Blessings Blessings Should Make Us Careful. David. Samson continued his downward slide in sin. His bachelor party. He turned his sin into a riddle.

The Outcome of God’s Blessings 1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? (Romans 6:1, NIV) 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, (Heb 10:26, NIV)

The Outcome of God’s Blessings The law of sowing and reaping is not canceled out by salvation! Willful sin against God will result in His discipline.

The Outcome of God’s Blessings Conclusion God’s Blessings Upon Us Should: Bring us closer to God Make us humble Cause us to be careful.

Life of Samson: #3 The Outcome of God’s Blessings Judges 14:5-14 01/27/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles