Speaking of Hard Texts…

May 29, 2007

Joe,

In light of the discussion earlier today, I was reminded of this text in Judges 14 that I read a few mornings ago. I had intended to write a bit about it then, but never got around to it:

“1Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines. 2Then he came up and told his father and mother, “I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.” 3But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” 4His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.”

Here are the facts:

Samson wanted to marry a Philistine woman, which was not lawful for Israelites to do.

His parents pleaded with him not to do it, but to take an Israelite wife according to the Law.

Samson refused and committed sin in doing so.

The writer tells us that Samson’s sinful actions were ‘from the Lord’, because He was seeking an opportunity to judge the Philistines.

Now that is a tough text! Since you gave us such good instruction from a tough text in Isaiah, what do we do with that one, brother?

Larry

Posted by Larry | Filed Under Scripture Meditation