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11 December 2007
Word on the Web
Judges 14 v 5-9
Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, as far as the vineyard near there. Suddenly, a young lion came roaring toward Samson! The Spirit of the LORD entered Samson with great power, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands. For him it was as easy as tearing apart a young goat. But Samson did not tell his father or mother what he had done. Then he went down to the city and talked to the Philistine woman, and he liked her. Several days later Samson went back to marry her. On his way he went over to look at the body of the dead lion and found a swarm of bees and honey in it. Samson got some of the honey with his hands and walked along eating it. When he came to his parents, he gave some to them. They ate it, too, but Samson did not tell them he had taken the honey from the body of the dead lion.
Being different
As a Nazarite, Samson was commanded not to touch any dead bodies in order for him to be 'different' as God had called him to be (Numbers 6:1-8). There were other rules too. He couldn't drink wine or beer for instance.
Sometimes people see restrictions as negative and bad. The thing people often forget is that although there are some things we have to say 'no' to; there are many more we can say 'yes' to.
Once again, Samson's physical urges took control over his life. He was hungry and took some honey from a bee's nest which was within a dead lion's body.
Samson also put his parents in the wrong too. He gave them some of the honey. Funny that he never told them where he found it!
Samson made tearing up a lion seem so easy. With the same ease he could bend and break the rules that made him one of God's people.
Jesus challenged us to be 'different.' But often it's easier for us to be the same as everyone else. Being 'different' and being like Jesus is harder. Although Samson had incredible physical strength - given to him by God's Spirit, inside he was weak.
Do we try to give the impression we're strong and yet if we're honest ... inside we feel weak and helpless?
Heavenly Father, strengthen me inside and out and make me different to the world and more like Jesus. Amen.
Written by Gary Roberts
Word on the Web
Judges 14 v 5-9
Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, as far as the vineyard near there. Suddenly, a young lion came roaring toward Samson! The Spirit of the LORD entered Samson with great power, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands. For him it was as easy as tearing apart a young goat. But Samson did not tell his father or mother what he had done. Then he went down to the city and talked to the Philistine woman, and he liked her. Several days later Samson went back to marry her. On his way he went over to look at the body of the dead lion and found a swarm of bees and honey in it. Samson got some of the honey with his hands and walked along eating it. When he came to his parents, he gave some to them. They ate it, too, but Samson did not tell them he had taken the honey from the body of the dead lion.
Being different
As a Nazarite, Samson was commanded not to touch any dead bodies in order for him to be 'different' as God had called him to be (Numbers 6:1-8). There were other rules too. He couldn't drink wine or beer for instance.
Sometimes people see restrictions as negative and bad. The thing people often forget is that although there are some things we have to say 'no' to; there are many more we can say 'yes' to.
Once again, Samson's physical urges took control over his life. He was hungry and took some honey from a bee's nest which was within a dead lion's body.
Samson also put his parents in the wrong too. He gave them some of the honey. Funny that he never told them where he found it!
Samson made tearing up a lion seem so easy. With the same ease he could bend and break the rules that made him one of God's people.
Jesus challenged us to be 'different.' But often it's easier for us to be the same as everyone else. Being 'different' and being like Jesus is harder. Although Samson had incredible physical strength - given to him by God's Spirit, inside he was weak.
Do we try to give the impression we're strong and yet if we're honest ... inside we feel weak and helpless?
Heavenly Father, strengthen me inside and out and make me different to the world and more like Jesus. Amen.
Written by Gary Roberts
