Chapter 11
1. Israel chooses Jephthah to lead them. He stands up to Ammon and defeats them. But he vows rashly to sacrifice to God the first thing that comes out his gate at home when he returns, assuming it would be an animal. It's his daughter, and he keeps the vow. This was surely a sign of the brutal times.
1. Israel chooses Jephthah to lead them. He stands up to Ammon and defeats them. But he vows rashly to sacrifice to God the first thing that comes out his gate at home when he returns, assuming it would be an animal. It's his daughter, and he keeps the vow. This was surely a sign of the brutal times.
2. Jesus also recounts Israel's history, as Jephthah did, and wins the victory. But He makes no rash vow that brings harm on the house of God.
3. Know and tell your history to those around. Don't make undue sacrifices to try to attain short term victories.
Chapter 12
1. Civil war breaks out, over claiming credit for the victory. Jephthah kills 42,000 of Ephraim. (Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon judge Israel after Jephthah.)
2. Jesus will judge those who claim to be of Israel, but refuse to follow Him. He insists His followers NOT fight (in Gethsemane when He is arrested), while He wins the victory.
3. Don't let conflict with allies boil over into violence or action you'll later regret.
Chapter 13
1. Samson's birth foretold by an angel to his mother. Note the parallel with Eden, when God instructed about forbidden food Adam, who was to tell Eve. Now the woman is to tell the man. She is the wiser, and he has to learn from her (verses 22-23 shows this), things are that messed up.
1. Samson's birth foretold by an angel to his mother. Note the parallel with Eden, when God instructed about forbidden food Adam, who was to tell Eve. Now the woman is to tell the man. She is the wiser, and he has to learn from her (verses 22-23 shows this), things are that messed up.
2. Jesus is the child promised to His parents - both to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:15, and to Joseph and Mary in the Gospels. He is promised to bring victory over the adversary for His people.
3. We need to trust God's promise of a Savior, born a baby, and raised to strength against our strongest enemy.
Chapter 14
1. Samson insists on a Philistine wife. He makes himself unclean, taking honey from a lion's carcass. At the wedding, he kills those who steal his secret.
1. Samson insists on a Philistine wife. He makes himself unclean, taking honey from a lion's carcass. At the wedding, he kills those who steal his secret.
2. Jesus keeps Himself clean and takes the bride His Father gives Him.
3. Don't let your passions take you beyond God's limits. Don't let your anger unleash itself on others.
Chapter 15
1. The cycle of violence continues, with Samson as much to blame as the Philistines. But he can fight off many Philistines, while the rest of Israel urges him to submit to them.
1. The cycle of violence continues, with Samson as much to blame as the Philistines. But he can fight off many Philistines, while the rest of Israel urges him to submit to them.
2. Jesus' violence in cleansing the temple was justified and unselfish in motive.
3. Any strong action we take needs to be the same: justified and putting the interests of others first.
Chapter 16
1. Samson (means sunshine) carries on an extended relationship with a prostitute, Delilah (means night). The Philistines bribe her to find out the secret of his strength. They poke out his eyes and make him grind at the mill like an animal. But his hair grows back, and he pulls down the temple they feast in, killing thousands, and himself.
1. Samson (means sunshine) carries on an extended relationship with a prostitute, Delilah (means night). The Philistines bribe her to find out the secret of his strength. They poke out his eyes and make him grind at the mill like an animal. But his hair grows back, and he pulls down the temple they feast in, killing thousands, and himself.
2. Jesus' relationship with women (and with everyone) is not based on mutual sinful greed and lust. He resisted every temptation.
3. While killing thousands in battle, Samson is brought down by a woman. The enemy will exploit our weakness, while we often take pride in our strengths.
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