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5 February 2008
Word on the Web
Judges 16 v 4-9
After this, Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in the Valley of Sorek. The Philistine rulers went to Delilah and said, "Find out what makes Samson so strong. Trick him into telling you how we can overpower him and capture him and tie him up. If you do this, each one of us will give you twenty-eight pounds of silver."
So Delilah said to Samson, "Tell me why you are so strong. How can someone tie you up and capture you?"
Samson answered, "Someone would have to tie me up with seven new bowstrings that have not been dried. Then I would be as weak as any other man."
The Philistine rulers brought Delilah seven new bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied Samson with them. Some men were hiding in another room. Delilah said to him, "Samson, the Philistines are here!" But Samson broke the bowstrings like pieces of burned string. So the Philistines did not find out the secret of Samson's strength.
Samson was a Nazirite which meant he had been dedicated to God while in the womb, he was supposed to refrain from drink and never use a razor on his head (Numbers 6). His long hair and victory in battle gave the appearance of a faithful servant, yet Samson was not whole hearted in his worship.
When someone asks "How can you be tied up and captured?" it can be generally assumed that that person is not out for your well being. Rather than leave this negative influence altogether, he tries to 'string' her along (ha ha) with lies about how he can be defeated. Samson sought to keep both his relationship with God and his relationship with Delilah going using lies and self deception.
We have to make a choice: are we servants of God or of our own desires? Remember "No-one can serve two masters, for they will hate the one and love the other." It might be possible to go a long while without showing the areas of life that are being held back from God but He knows the deepest desires of our heart.
Lord, help us to remember the cost you paid for our salvation and the great love shown on the cross. Let this cause us to seek to give our whole lives as living sacrifices and to serve you above our own desires. Amen
Written by members of the Xplore team
Word on the Web
Judges 16 v 4-9
After this, Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in the Valley of Sorek. The Philistine rulers went to Delilah and said, "Find out what makes Samson so strong. Trick him into telling you how we can overpower him and capture him and tie him up. If you do this, each one of us will give you twenty-eight pounds of silver."
So Delilah said to Samson, "Tell me why you are so strong. How can someone tie you up and capture you?"
Samson answered, "Someone would have to tie me up with seven new bowstrings that have not been dried. Then I would be as weak as any other man."
The Philistine rulers brought Delilah seven new bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied Samson with them. Some men were hiding in another room. Delilah said to him, "Samson, the Philistines are here!" But Samson broke the bowstrings like pieces of burned string. So the Philistines did not find out the secret of Samson's strength.
Samson was a Nazirite which meant he had been dedicated to God while in the womb, he was supposed to refrain from drink and never use a razor on his head (Numbers 6). His long hair and victory in battle gave the appearance of a faithful servant, yet Samson was not whole hearted in his worship.
When someone asks "How can you be tied up and captured?" it can be generally assumed that that person is not out for your well being. Rather than leave this negative influence altogether, he tries to 'string' her along (ha ha) with lies about how he can be defeated. Samson sought to keep both his relationship with God and his relationship with Delilah going using lies and self deception.
We have to make a choice: are we servants of God or of our own desires? Remember "No-one can serve two masters, for they will hate the one and love the other." It might be possible to go a long while without showing the areas of life that are being held back from God but He knows the deepest desires of our heart.
Lord, help us to remember the cost you paid for our salvation and the great love shown on the cross. Let this cause us to seek to give our whole lives as living sacrifices and to serve you above our own desires. Amen
Written by members of the Xplore team
