Hebrews 11:37-38 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 32. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—

Men of Whom the World was not Worthy Hebrews 11:38

Judges 13:25- Samson is about 20 years old The Spirit stirred him Judges 14 - went down to Timnah & verse 3, fell in love

Weren’t Philistines Forbidden? Canaanites Amorites Hivites Perizzites Hittites Jebusites 6 forbidden nations listed 9x’s Ex. 3:8, 17; 23:23; 32:2; Deut. 20:17; Josh. 9:1; 11:3; 12:8; Jud. 3:5 A seventh nation is added 3x’s Deut. 7:1; Josh. 3:10; 24:1 Girgashites The Philistines were an immigrant culture of blonde, white skinned people, not of the family of “Canaan,” the son of Ham, son of Noah.

Judges 13:25- Samson is about 20 years old The Spirit stirred him Jud. 14 - went down to Timnah & v.3, fell in love Had a run-in with a lion, shared honey 7 day feast, riddle, wife threatened... Killed 30 men to pay off wager, left angry Jud.15 - returned for his wife, gone! Caught 300 foxes, tied tails together with torches Burned standing grain, stacked grain, & orchards

Judges 13:25- Samson is about 20 years old Verse 6 - Philistines burned wife/father in law Verse 8 - Samson smote them “hip and thigh” Verse 11 - betrayed by 3,000 fearful brethren Verse 15- Samson slew 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey Proceeded to “judge” Israel for next 20 years

Judges 16- Samson is near 40 years old Went to Gaza, visited a prostitute (?) Philistines set an ambush… till midnight Samson carried off city gates and posts 16:4-22 - later, fell in love with Delilah She was wooed by Philistine lords, and money Samson revealed the “secret” to his power was 7 fresh bowstrings, new ropes, weaving his 7 locks into a loom, and… a razor!

Judges 16- Samson is near 40 years old 16:23-31- gouged out his eyes Put him to women’s work… grinding grain Months later Philistines had a feast, to Dagon Samson was the guest of honor All the lords of the Philistines were there 3,000 just on the roof Hair grown back, Samson leaning on pillars Brought down the house, more killed…

Why Was Samson AMOWTWWN Worthy? He was subject to his passions… Temper, revenge, desire, love He broke Israel’s law… Marrying a Philistine Touching a dead carcass

Why was the life of Samson a Positive thing? 8 reasons His birth announcement was special He was set apart from the womb Kept his vow for forty years His life was a living miracle of strength , blessing, responsibility, & loneliness His mission was a tremendous success He served God, & paid price for his sin Personally empowered by HS more than any.. Hebrews 11:32 calls him a man of faith

Six Lessons for us to consider? We need to give care to our judgment All of God’s work is not done in a crowd Success comes sometimes over time, not in a moment Devotion and faithfulness is not perfection Passion is not a plaything and there can be a high price to pay God can work through anyone and their particular talents

We don’t have to be a “Samson” He had his misakes, and so will we, but he also had great victories over time. And so can we We need to be devoted and faithful. Have you believed and been baptized? Mark 16:16