GREAT EMPOWERMENT: THE JUDGES’ FAITH

Week 2: SAMSON’S OCCASION

During this study, we will be doing a ‘deep dive’ into a scriptural passage. It is strongly encouraged that you study the passage and entire chapter ahead of the study. Also be prepared with your research tools, for example Google or your study Bible, as you will need to reference it during the study. Spend time answering and discussing each question with the intention to gain sufficient understanding to help your own private Bible study as you further explore these topics.

Study Chapters: Judges 13-14

Pilot text

Judges 14:1-6; 1 Now Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines. 2 So he went up and told his father and mother, saying, “I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife.” 3 Then his father and mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me well.” 4 But his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord—that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. 5 So Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came to the vineyards of Timnah.
Now to his surprise, a young lion came roaring against him. 6 And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.

Looking beyond just the content of the chapter, what can we infer about the intention behind this narration?

Discussion Points

1. Looking at chapter 13, what differences can you see between Samson’s origin story and that of Jephthah? What does this tell us about God’s choice?
2. How would you describe Samson’s character as portrayed in chapter 14?
3. Did Samson make the right choice of wife? What role do you think God played in Samson’s choice?
4. What could Samson’s encounter with the lion tell us about adversity and opportunity?

Closing thoughts:

Given the circumstances of Samson’s birth, Samson probably had a rather loose relationship with discipline. He was the first child after a long wait, and the story we are told implies that his parents may have been a little bit soft towards him. Whether or not that was the case, we do know that he had many character flaws. Yet it pleased God to work through him to bring the light of deliverance and knowledge to the people of Israel and to us. What can we learn therefore?

First, God can use a bad situation as an occasion to work deliverance. Samson was making a bad choice by going to Philistia (the enemy) to find a bride. This action would have disastrous consequences for a lot of people. Although not a God-inspired choice, God would use the occasion to work deliverance for Israel. In the same way even though God is not a party to our bad behaviours and certainly does not inspire them; He can and does use them as an occasion to deliver us from bondage.

Second, we see an illustration of how opportunities can present themselves in the form of adversity. Samson encountered a lion on his way to Timnah. He was already empowered to defeat the lion, just as we are empowered to overcome through Christ. But it was still a surprise when it came against him, particularly since he had nothing in his hand (no weapon to fight with). When we are faced with unexpected challenges, we can sometimes forget who we are in Christ, focusing on the adversity and what we seemingly lack. The lion came against Samson thinking ‘there’s an easy prey’. It was right – there was an easy prey for Samson.

When we truly recognise adversity as an opportunity, we don’t run from it. We seize it as an easy prey and tear it apart in order to reveal the testimony that:

“Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet.”- Judges 14:14

Application Questions (use scriptures to support your position):

1. You go hiking in the woods (somewhere in North America) and you see a bear in the distance. How would you respond and why? Position your response in the context of this study.
2. “It doesn’t matter when I make bad choices because God will use them to His glory anyway”. Agree/disagree with reasons.