Judges 15 - God works through all circumstances

Setting – Philistines sought to kill Samson because he burned down their grain, grapevines and olive trees.

Content – Samson returned for his wife, that he left on his wedding day, but found out that she had been given to his best-man by her father. Samson light foxes tails to burn the Philistines fields of grain, grapevines and olive trees. The Philistines found out why Samson did this (v. 6), “"Who did this?" the Philistines demanded. "Samson" was the reply, "because his father-in-law from Timnah gave Samson's wife to be married to his best man." So the Philistines went and got the woman and her father and burned them to death”
Once the tribe of Judah find out why the Philistines where ready to attach them, they sought and found Samson at rock of Etam. They tied him up and delivered him to the Philistines. But (v. 14-15), “As Samson arrived at Lehi, the Philistines came shouting in triumph. But the Spirit of the LORD powerfully took control of Samson, and he snapped the ropes on his arms as if they were burnt strands of flax, and they fell from his wrists. Then he picked up a donkey's jawbone that was lying on the ground and killed a thousand Philistines with it.”
After this victory God provided Samson water, because he was thirsty (v. 19), “So God caused water to gush out of a hollow in the ground at Lehi, and Samson was revived as he drank. Then he named that place "The Spring of the One Who Cried Out," and it is still in Lehi to this day."
Samson judged Israel for twelve years while the Philistines ruled the land.

Application – God used the circumstances of Samson to defeat the Philistines. Samson left his wedding day without his wife, and then he returned to take her back. His anger caused him to burn the Philistines fields, which provoked the Philistines to prepare to attach Judah. But Judah captured and delivered to the Philistines. Once there the Holy Spirit took control of him and killed a thousand Philistines.
God orchestrates His will using circumstances and/or conditions that men create. The Holy Spirit came up Samson once he was delivered to the Philistines. All of the circumstances leading up to this didn’t thwart God’s goal of delivering Israel.

Comments

Coble said…
Whoa...you have a lot of posts! :O

Now you need to post something about your life! Do I have to keep pestering you about this? :)

Signed,
Your really awesome daughter (who is excited that school FINALLY starts again!) :)

P.S. You know who your really awesome daughter is...at least, you SHOULD! :)