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Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 His marriage 14:1-4 He saw a woman in Timnah, desired her, & told his parents to get her for him vv. 1-2 They objected on the basis she came from the “uncircumcised Philistines” v. 3a

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 His marriage 14:1-4 Great Spiritual Application Parents need to encourage/discourage their children’s choice for spouses…point them toward those with common interests, goals Parents should imitate Samson’s parents

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 His marriage 14:1-4 Samson ignored his parents’ objection… she “looked good to him” v. 3b A shallow carnal reason to marry Many continue to make this same mistake

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 The lion carcass 14:5-9 On the way to Timnah, a young lion comes roaring toward him v. 5 The “Spirit of the Lord comes mightily upon him”…he kills the lion barehanded v. 6 [1st time this occurred]

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 The lion carcass 14:5-9 Going back home, he sees bees & honey in the carcass…he takes some vv. 8-9a He gives his parents some of the honey, but does not tell them its source v. 9b

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 The lion carcass 14:5-9 A violation of the Nazirite vow? Num 6:6-7 A violation of the Law? Lev 11:27 Why didn’t he tell his parents?

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 The marriage feast 14:10 A “customary ritual” young men did Hebrew word for “feast” = drinking feast Did Samson drink? The text does not say He didn’t just “attend”…he “gave” (hosted)

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 The marriage feast 14:10 Remember the restrictions imposed on him from the Nazirite vow Num 6:3-4 Are these actions totally consistent with those restrictions?

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 The Philistine harlot 16:1-3 He went into a harlot (fornication) What about the kind of life he was to live as one under the Nazirite vow? Num 6:8 Was this conduct “…holy to the Lord?”

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 Delilah 16:4-22 The “best known” part of Samson’s life He “loves” another Philistine woman Something drew him towards these women God was using these choices providentially

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 Delilah 16:4-22 Did God need Samson to marry, fornicate, or fall in love with Philistine women to use him against Israel’s oppressor? These actions were his choices, not the things God was leading him to do

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 Delilah 16:4-22 The Philistine lords “bribe” Delilah to extract Samson’s strength secret v. 5 Samson seemingly “toys” with Delilah, never telling her the truth vv. 6-14 What should he have said?

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 Delilah 16:4-22 Samson’s strength = a blessing from God He appears to have been “flippant” about his blessing That kind of response only brings disaster, not faithfulness

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 Delilah 16:4-22 She was persistent…focused on the money Her “daily annoyance” wore him down… a “corrupting influence” 1 Cor 15:33 Samson would pay a “huge price” for this!!

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 Delilah 16:4-22 Samson allowed himself to be taken to “Delilah’s lap” v. 19a “Enchanting” (exciting)…yet dangerous Having just compromised himself, he was “set up” for destruction vv. 19b-21

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 Delilah 16:4-22 She chastised Samson for not “loving” her and failing to “join his heart to her” Did she love him with her heart? No…she got what she wanted by using Samson to get it vv. 5b, 18b

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 Delilah 16:4-22 “Delilah’s Lap” is a place that still exists!! It is not what it seems to be It is dangerous…not delightful It is deadly…especially for naïve and unsuspecting young people

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 Delilah 16:4-22 “Delilah’s Lap” is a place that still exists!! The wrong crowd will surely get you there cp. Prov 5:1-6, 8-11 7:1, 5-27 Modern Equivalents Ù sex, friendships, business deals, other associations, etc.

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 Delilah 16:4-22 The once mighty Samson is now abused, scarred for life…even “humiliated” He no longer is a faithful Nazirite Yet, his hair begins to grow back v. 22 (Repentance or Philistine “neglect?”)

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 Delilah 16:4-22 He is now only a “shadow” of what he was supposed to be Not what God had desired in him Certainly not what his parents had requested and prayed for

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 The End Of His Life 16:23-30 The Philistines had a “party” vv. 23-24 Dagon was praised for delivering Samson They demanded the “blind Samson” be brought in for entertainment v. 25

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg 13-16 A Grown Samson 14:1 – 16:30 The End Of His Life 16:23-30 The house was full of lords & officials…at least 3,000 were on the roof v. 27 Samson pushed the supporting pillars out, killing all in the house vv. 26, 28-30a

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