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12 December 2007
Word on the Web
Judges 14 v 10-17
Samson's father went down to see the Philistine woman. And Samson gave a feast, as was the custom for the bridegroom. When the people saw him, they sent thirty friends to be with him.
Samson said to them, "Let me tell you a riddle. Try to find the answer during the seven days of the feast. If you can, I will give you thirty linen shirts and thirty changes of clothes. But if you can't, you must give me thirty linen shirts and thirty changes of clothes." So they said, "Tell us your riddle so we can hear it."
Samson said, "Out of the eater comes something to eat. Out of the strong comes something sweet." After three days, they had not found the answer. On the fourth day they said to Samson's wife, "Did you invite us here to make us poor? Trick your husband into telling us the answer to the riddle. If you don't, we will burn you and everyone in your father's house." So Samson's wife went to him, crying, and said, "You hate me! You don't really love me! You told my people a riddle, but you won't tell me the answer." Samson said, "I haven't even told my father or mother. Why should I tell you?" Samson's wife cried for the rest of the seven days of the feast. So he finally gave her the answer on the seventh day, because she kept bothering him. Then she told her people the answer to the riddle.
Taming the tongue
Riddles can be fun. But if Samson's making them forget it - you've no chance!
Samson's riddle was too hard - who could have guessed the right answer? Maybe if there had been some Closed Circuit Television Cameras in the desert, or someone with a snazzy new camera phone, things would have been easier.
Trying to be clever, Samson had fun but found himself in trouble at the same time. The Philistines grew impatient and they had wagered some nice clothes if they didn't solve the riddle.
So Samson's wife teases the solution to the riddle from him by whinging for a whole week! Then she gives the answer to the Philistines.
Samson couldn't keep a secret to save his life. In fact he couldn't keep a secret to save his wife! Later, the Philistines burned his wife and her father to death (Judges 15:7).
Sometimes I am amazed at how easily people talk about things that should be kept quiet - matters that ought to be confidential.
James tells us that "the tongue is like a fire" (James 3:6). If God gave you or I a nickname - would it be something like 'Sparky' or 'Flamethrower' ... I wonder? Want to see some of Jesus' nicknames? Read Isaiah 9: 6-7.
Heavenly Father, help me to know what to say and what not to say and grace to know when to keep my lips firmly sealed. Amen.
Written by Gary Roberts
Word on the Web
Judges 14 v 10-17
Samson's father went down to see the Philistine woman. And Samson gave a feast, as was the custom for the bridegroom. When the people saw him, they sent thirty friends to be with him.
Samson said to them, "Let me tell you a riddle. Try to find the answer during the seven days of the feast. If you can, I will give you thirty linen shirts and thirty changes of clothes. But if you can't, you must give me thirty linen shirts and thirty changes of clothes." So they said, "Tell us your riddle so we can hear it."
Samson said, "Out of the eater comes something to eat. Out of the strong comes something sweet." After three days, they had not found the answer. On the fourth day they said to Samson's wife, "Did you invite us here to make us poor? Trick your husband into telling us the answer to the riddle. If you don't, we will burn you and everyone in your father's house." So Samson's wife went to him, crying, and said, "You hate me! You don't really love me! You told my people a riddle, but you won't tell me the answer." Samson said, "I haven't even told my father or mother. Why should I tell you?" Samson's wife cried for the rest of the seven days of the feast. So he finally gave her the answer on the seventh day, because she kept bothering him. Then she told her people the answer to the riddle.
Taming the tongue
Riddles can be fun. But if Samson's making them forget it - you've no chance!
Samson's riddle was too hard - who could have guessed the right answer? Maybe if there had been some Closed Circuit Television Cameras in the desert, or someone with a snazzy new camera phone, things would have been easier.
Trying to be clever, Samson had fun but found himself in trouble at the same time. The Philistines grew impatient and they had wagered some nice clothes if they didn't solve the riddle.
So Samson's wife teases the solution to the riddle from him by whinging for a whole week! Then she gives the answer to the Philistines.
Samson couldn't keep a secret to save his life. In fact he couldn't keep a secret to save his wife! Later, the Philistines burned his wife and her father to death (Judges 15:7).
Sometimes I am amazed at how easily people talk about things that should be kept quiet - matters that ought to be confidential.
James tells us that "the tongue is like a fire" (James 3:6). If God gave you or I a nickname - would it be something like 'Sparky' or 'Flamethrower' ... I wonder? Want to see some of Jesus' nicknames? Read Isaiah 9: 6-7.
Heavenly Father, help me to know what to say and what not to say and grace to know when to keep my lips firmly sealed. Amen.
Written by Gary Roberts
