An Expensive Haircut

Judges 13 – 16

November 10, 2002

Background

A. Being remembered for what you might have been… is a life lived like Samson. Being remembered for bring down someone who could have been is a life lived like Delilah.

B. Israel had sinned again and the Philistines had ruled them for 40 years. When Samson arrives on the scene. His life was much like Israel.

1. Samson is remember for his potential and his sin

2. He also is remembered for his pranks, getting out of trouble and his blind love for a Philistine named Delilah

C. Samson is listed in Hebrews 11 with a group of men of faith but not for any of his own miraculous deeds

D. Samson, at the end of his life, remembered his dependence upon God

E. What’s the problem with a few compromises, people ask? What’s the problem with just getting a little haircut?

I. Samson’ Strengths

A. His prophetic announcement (chapter 13)

1. The angel of the LORD appeared to her

2. The instruction about the son to be born

3. The prophecy that he would “begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” (5)

B. His prenatal care (13:4-5, 14)

1. Mother drank no wine or fermented drink during her pregnancy

2. Mother ate nothing unclean: i.e. she had a healthy deity and she honored God

C. His parents were Godly (13:12)

1. Manoah prayed to see the same angel and God answered his prayer (8-9)

2. They wanted to know how to raise him

3. They were obedient to all God had told them

a. Nazirite child: no hair cuts

b. This was unusual as this was normally just for a season of time… not for life.

D. His anointing by the Spirit of God (13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14)

1. The beginnings in Mahaneh Dan: i.e. God began to stir him when he was a young man living at home

2. Othniel; Gideon and Jephthah had all been mentioned as having this happen to them once. Samson had God’s anointing since birth, the Spirit’s stirring as a young man and God’s Spirit in power 3 times.

3. His source of strength was a cause for debate… his body must not have betrayed his power

4. What kind of spiritual power do you want: power to accomplish or power to do what is right?

II. Samson’s Weaknesses

A. Compromised life-style

1. We are disappointed in Samson’s life style: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful” certainly could have been written after reflecting up the life of Samson. What was Samson doing hanging around Timnah? He fell in love at first sight. “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.”

2. We are disappointed in Samson’s parents: They complained I’m sure they knew God’s prohibition on marrying the pagans Deuteronomy 7:3-4), but they gave in to Samson’s demands. They made a banquet for him among the pagans… “drinking feast.”

3. We are encouraged by something neither Samson nor his parents knew (“That this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time the were ruling over Israel.”-14:4)

B. Controlled by his flesh

1. Samson was at the mercy of the whim of his heart since he had no controlling authority on the throne of his life.

2. The party pooper in Timnah

3. The vandal’s revenge upon the Philistines

4. His second revenge “hip and thigh”

5. The jawbone slaughter

6. At the end of chapter 15 we get the footnote that Samson judged Israel for 20 years. But he then backslid into his old passions.

7. The prostitute of Gaza’s surprise

8. The Delilah demise: 7 fresh thongs; new ropes; weave the 7 braids of my hair into the fabric on a loom… finally cut my hair. This was the one major point of commitment Samson had towards God… it was now cut.

9. When a person sets themselves afloat in a sea of lust, it can be like drinking sea water: 7 times saltier than our bodies can take, our kidneys’ demand more water to flush out the salt… a person soon dies of thirst

C. Confided in the wrong people

1. “With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. So he told her everything.” (16:16-17)

2. His faith was not being placed in God even though he was tremendously blessed by God

3. Here is a perfect example of God blessing someone who did not earn it nor did he ever return any thanks for it

III. Samson’s Legacy

A. Godly gifting does not mean godly character

1. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:22-23

B. God uses whom He chooses to use

1. We can’t always say it is because of this or that…

2. Psa. 76:10 “Surely the wrath of man shall praise you”

C. Are you a person who makes people better or do you give haircuts?