Ruth 2-4

Welcome. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year. Next week at Coffee you will have a great time discussing how you kept Christ in the holidays. If you would like more time to socialize come about 15 min. early, we will start core at 7:30.

When we discuss the book of Ruth, most women remark how they enjoy the tender love story. Almost like Cinderella, the hero rescues the poor widow from her life of back breaking work. We have to believe God had a greater purpose for this book in relationship to the coming of the Messiah. Let’s look at the historical and religious significance of the book of Ruth.

The book of Ruth was written during the time when Gideon was Judge and may have at one time been included in the book of Judges.  By New Testament times, Ruth was included with 4 other scrolls called the Five Megilloth to be read aloud during Jewish Holy Days in this order: Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and Esther. Ruth was read aloud publically at the Feast of the Harvest since most of the story was set during the time of the harvest.

Ruth the Moabitess, a Gentile, is one of four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. She was a descendant of Terah, Abraham’s father. The last chapter in the book of Ruth documents the “seed of Abraham” passing to David, the ancestor of both Joseph and Mary.

Even the setting of the book of Ruth, Bethlehem, is significant in the fact that Jacob’s wife Rachel died here and now, Boaz, the descendent of Jacob’s other wife Leah, will marry a young Moabite widow and preserve the line of the promised Messiah. The story of Boaz and Ruth is a beautiful picture which foreshadows Boaz as a prophetic type of Christ and His Bride, the Church.  Jesus is our kinsman redeemer, coming to Bethlehem to redeem us as his gentile Bride.  LET US PRAY.

Open your bibles to the book of Ruth.

THE HESED OF GOD-Uncommon love giving sacrificially without thinking of self.

·        Naomi

·        Ruth

·        Boaz

The principle of hesed is pictured by all three leading the characters in the book of Ruth. There is no one English word which can adequately explained the full meaning of the word hesed. Kindness, mercy, loyalty, unfailing love, Hesed is a strong Hebrew word which sums up the ideal lifestyle for God’s people. The “Love your neighbor as yourself” commanded by Jesus. Hesed is driven not by duty or legal obligation, but by a deep commitment-a loyal, selfless love that motivates a person to do voluntarily what no one has the right to expect or ask of them. Hesed is the gospel lived out in our lives. Hesed is something you do, not merely a good intention.

Memories of my childhood replay in my head, on Sunday we usually had fried chicken. Not a package of breast as I buy now, but a cut up chicken with the neck and the liver and the gizzard. What piece did your Mother eat? I can remember the grappling of four girls for the choicest pieces. My mother almost always ended up with a back or a wing. Mom never complained and seemed quite content. She was showing hesed for her family. Self sacrifice was her way of life. I think a mother’s love is the closest thing on earth to the hesed of Christ.

Naomi is the first to show the principle of hesed through her loving sacrifice. Naomi prays for her daughters-in-law in an unselfish desire to release them of the expected duty to her and urges them to return home.

Ruth 1: ⁸ Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. ⁹ May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”

Orpah responds logically and returns to her family house. Ruth however shows hesed to Naomi by denying herself the comfort and familiarity of home. Ruth continues with Naomi.

v. 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”  What a beautiful display of self-sacrificing love for the benefit of another!

It was Naomi’s life and faith in God that was a catalyst for Ruth’s conversion and Christ-like love.  What an great influence she must have been to this Moabitess.

It is no coincidence that Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem in time for the barley harvest. Barley is more drought-resistant than wheat. While it is Ruth who suggests gleaning as a means of support for the two widows, it is no random incident that she is in the field of Boaz.

V.3 As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.  This, my friends, is the providential dealing of the Almighty God.

Notice how Boaz, a man of wealth and good character, greets his workers and their response.

⁴ Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The LORD be with you!”
   “The LORD bless you!” they called back.
This is no accidental meeting of Boaz and Ruth. The next words of this wealthy landowner are regarding a poor foreign woman gleaning in his fields.
 ⁵ Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is that?”  
Boaz calls her my daughter, when he encourages her to stay in his fields and glean nowhere else.  He is providing hesed above and beyond the requirements of the law, as he offers her protection among his own servant girls and a ready supply of water whenever she is thirsty.
¹⁰ At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”  Ruth is humble and gracious to her benefactor. Boaz acknowledges Ruth’s hesed (sacrificial kindness) to Naomi.
 ¹¹ Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.
Boaz had heard good things about this young widow who returned with Naomi from Moab. He asks the LORD’s blessings on her.
¹² May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
Gleaning has got to be back breaking work. Compare it to picking up toys or clothes off the floor or the bending to pull weeds-you know how that feels. Not only has Ruth been working from morning until evening, but she also has to thresh the barley.  Ruth returned to Naomi with an ephah (about a bushel or more than 7 gallons) of barley and also leftover roasted grain from her meal. Naomi must have been home worrying all day about the safety of Ruth, and now she peppers her with questions.
¹⁹ “Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!”

Naomi turns from bitter “Mara” to pleasant, loving Naomi as her name states. Through this kindness of Boaz, she is realizing that God has not forgotten her or withdrawn His HESED.

 ²⁰ “The LORD bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”

In v.22 Naomi remarks it is good for Ruth to stay with the servant girls of Boaz because she could be harmed in someone else’s field. It was brave of Ruth to go out into the fields and work until evening. She was in potential danger and could have been shunned and ostracized as a foreigner, especially one from Moab.

In the book of Ruth, the most frequent references to God are found in the prayers of God’s people.  Look carefully to find a prayer in every chapter. Prayers asking God to be present, to bless, to guide, to reward, to prosper with family and with fame. These prayers underscore the conviction that God is paying attention, that he notices acts of kindness, that what they do matters to Him, that he has it in his power to act or in Naomi’s case to allow suffering to come.

In our lives, as in Naomi’s, some pain must come. If we were able, as God is, to see the beginning of time as well as the end, then we could know the divine plan in our suffering and how it fits is God scheme of things. Our pain and disappointments may, as in Naomi and Ruth’s life, be an unseen piece of the puzzle. If Naomi had not brought Ruth back with her from Moab, Ruth would not have conceived a child who would an ancestor to King David. And Jesus would not be born in Bethlehem.

My life is but a weaving between my God and me,
I do not choose the colors; He works so steadily.
Oft times He weaves in sorrow, and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and me the underside.
Not till the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas, and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

God in His hesed had a plan for Ruth and he has a plan for you.

Boaz displays hesed (goodness) beyond the responsibilities of the land owner. He has taken a special interest in Ruth.

 Naomi begins her match making in Chapter 3. Custom requires the father of the bride to negotiate a marriage. In lieu of a father, Ruth must approach Boaz. Harvest lasted about seven weeks and the men are celebrating with much feasting and drinking.  It seems Boaz is already smitten. He just needs a little push to remember his obligation to the widows.

¹ One day Naomi, her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not try to find a home^[a] for you, where you will be well provided for? ² Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. ³ Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. ⁴ When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”

Some believe Ruth was dressed as a bride, which could be possible. She most likely is throwing off her widow’s garb. Uncovering Boaz’s feet was to let the cool air awaken him. When Boaz is jolted awake, Ruth is in a submissive posture at his feet. She is quite bold to ask him to, “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.”  Ruth is letting him know she is through mourning and is available for marriage.  

Boaz’s response is somewhat surprising; instead of rebuking her for coming to him in the night, he offers praise.

¹⁰ “The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. ¹¹ And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.

Ruth as a bride has little to offer from society’s standpoint. She has no wealth, no dowry, no political standing. Ruth is a barren, impoverished, foreign widow.

When Ruth asks Boaz to spread his cover over her this was a symbol of commitment. A custom that is still common among some Arab cultures.

¹² Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. ¹³ Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”

Again all three players in this event are selflessly seeking the best for one another.

·        Naomi was seeking a husband and a home for Ruth. Naomi surely knew the closer relative, the one who legally could redeem the property of Elimelech. Naomi’s plan was not about redeeming the land. Her hesed put her daughter-in-law’s happiness before her own.

·        Ruth is appealing to both the levirate and the kinsman redeemer laws. She proposes to bear a child to carry on Naomi’s family name, what a bold act of faith.

·        Boaz realizes there is a closer kinsman. He honors Ruth by keeping her safe and pure during the night. Boaz a man of integrity and standing in the community will bring this matter before witnesses.

Although in all likelihood Boaz did not cover Ruth, committing to marriage. He does send her home with a substantial amount of barley, perhaps a bride price.

In chapter four, Boaz carefully words the duty of the kinsmen redeemer before ten elders. The nearest kinsman refuses to risk his own estate by fathering a child with the widow, said to Boaz “buy it yourself” and took off his sandal to legalize the transaction. Boaz accepts.

The elders and those at the gate wish blessing on “the woman who is coming into your home” to have many sons and build up the house of Israel.

The blessing of the women of Bethlehem was to Naomi and they predict that the name of Ruth’s first born will be famous. The author of the book of Ruth carefully lists the lineage.

14-15 “Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! ¹⁵ He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

God is the true hero in this story. His boundless love provided a kinsman-redeemer for us. Jesus redeemed us and gave us life and a future.

PRAY

Ruth 1-God cares for widows

Irena Sendler, a non-Jewish social worker, led the rescue of 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto, during the Holocaust in World War II.  Irena and her network assisted in hiding these children and then placing them into the homes of Polish families or concealing them in convents and orphanages. She made lists of the children's real names, put the lists in jars, and then buried them in a garden. Later she would dig up the jars and locate the children to tell them of their real identity. October 1943 Irena was arrested. During her time in prison she had her legs and feet fractured, unwilling to give information on the team she was sentenced to be shot. The Polish underground bribed a guard to release her, and she went into hiding.

 For many years Irena-white-haired, gentle and courageous - was living a modest existence in her Warsaw apartment. Her achievement went largely unnoticed for many years. Then the story was uncovered by four students who wrote a play Life in a Jar about the heroic actions of Irena Sendler. Winners in 2000 of a Kansas state history competition, their presentation, popularized by National Public Radio, C-SPAN and CBS, have brought Irena Sendler’s story to a wider public. This unsung heroine passed away on Monday May 12th, 2008. However her story is memorialized through a website, Hallmark movie and a book.

My usual resources were pretty harsh on Naomi. Elimelech and Naomi  condemned for running away during the famine to in a Moab, instead of waiting on the LORD. Naomi is accused of trying to hide the fact that her sons married Moabite women by trying to discourage her daughter-in laws from returning with her to Bethlehem. In her bitterness, they claim, she blaming God for everything. Since chapter one is the focus of the lecture I felt compelled to explore Naomi circumstances as a widow at that point in history.

Last week we listed all the women with angelic birth announcement and also the barren women in the bible.  Tonight I will focus on Naomi in Ruth 1.

God has a special place for women in His Kingdom. He is our hope.
Let us pray.  Lord tonight help us learn through this study of RUTH that true fulfillment can be found only in God. Although we may seek completion through family and position, we find it only through knowing the One who created us. Our hope is in Christ alone! Now Father, Guard the door of my mouth, and let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you. Oh LORD my strength and my redeemer. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Ladies you may want to open your Bibles to the Chapter 1 of Ruth

·       WOMEN ALONE IN WORLD NEED GOD

·       GOD LOVE AND HONORS WOMEN

·       GOD WANTS WOMEN TO CARE FOR OTHERS

Day five of our lesson compares the attitude of Naomi to that of Job in chapter 1. (The book of Job has 42 chapters. In chapter 1, his troubles were just beginning.) While Job is praised, Naomi is pictured as bitter. The biggest distinction in this comparison is Naomi is a female in a culture where a woman’s place in society is secured through marriage and motherhood. As a man, Job did not lose his land or his stature in the community, but Naomi did. Plus Naomi was a widow in a foreign country when her tragedy struck. Not a safe place to be with no male family. Naomi was far from Bethlehem and her God.
WOMEN ALONE IN A MAN’S WORLD NEED GOD
Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
Carolyn James informs us that the Hebrew word for widow almanah shows her low rank in the ancient patriarchal culture. Alem mean “unable to speak”, the widow or “the silent one,” had no voice, no legal rights and no recourse against injustice. This fact is verified by Jesus accusation that the religious leaders of his day of “devouring widows houses” in Mark 12 and Luke 20.

Another reference can be found in Proverbs 15:25 The LORD tears down the proud man’s house but he keeps the widow’s boundaries intact.

 Ruth 1:³ Now Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. ⁴ They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, ⁵ both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

Naomi is indeed a bereaved woman finding herself widowed and ten years later no sons to provide for her.  In a pagan country, many dangers could threaten her. She may be bitter but Naomi does have the faith to return home to her people and her God.

Deuteronomy 10:18 assures us God “defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow,”
Possibly she felt like a prodigal returning to Bethlehem after seeking refuge in Moab and living there, ten years long enough for Naomi’s sons to marry forbidden foreign women.  Add to the shame she returned accompanied by a “strange woman,” Ruth, her daughter-in-law.

Ruth 1:19-21 When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”  ²⁰ “Don’t call me Naomi” (which means pleasant or sweet) she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. ²¹ I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

Most of us can sympathize with her sorrow, her deep despair, her sense of hopelessness. Yes and even bitterness. How many of us have had the devastation of losing a spouse? Widowed or divorced we share a similar sense of loss.

·       Loss of male companionship, protection, and emotional support of a spouse

·       Change in finances and possibly the loss of your own home

·       Change of  your status in the community

o   Half a couple, uncomfortable with being the odd number in the group

o   Single women may be seen as threat-I take special care to avoid even the appearance of evil when around married men.

o   The loss of your husband’s influence in the community or church

Friends and neighbors are watching your response to the tough times in your life. Don’t give up hope. Turn to your Heavenly Father who is there waiting with arms opened wide to receive you. He will be your kinsmen redeemer.

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

 A dear lady I know went through radiation several years ago. She never complained or reacted to her plight with bitterness. In fact, she was an encouragement to me when I was down. Through her multiple weeks of treatment, she witnessed to other patients, offering them hope and a smile. She continues to serve the LORD through her mercy and compassion to others.

God has a special place for women in His Kingdom. He is our hope.

GOD LOVE AND HONORS WOMEN

 Proverbs 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

Naomi's husband and two sons die in the first few verses of Ruth. Now Naomi and Ruth are the main characters in the story. Though Naomi returned home bitter, she didn’t stay bitter. We will see how she nurtures and encourages Ruth, and even orchestrates the relationship between Ruth and Boaz to provide a husband for Ruth and a kinsman redeemer to preserve the lineage of her husband, Elimelech.

There are 103 references to widows in the NIV bible. Deuteronomy provides specific laws for the protection of widows and orphans.  God’s prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zachariah, and Malachi warn against forsaking the plight of the widows and fatherless.

Jesus honored the widows mite in Luke 21: ³ “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; ⁴ for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

Jesus shows compassion to a widow Luke 7 a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. ¹³ When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” …“Young man, I say to you, get up!” ¹⁵ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Biblical scholar Bonnie Bowman Thuston notes “When Jesus raises this man from the dead, he is in fact, giving life back to two persons in the community; the man and his mother.”

He has proven through his scriptures that women and widows have a have a prominent place in the Bible. Consider the widows who provided food and shelter to the prophets Elisha Kings 1 and Elijah in Kings 2.

God used women many times in the Old Testament to save Israel. We saw the role of Rahab by giving refuge to Joshua’s spies. Deborah was one of 15 judges, not a bad ratio. Judges 5:24  “Most blessed of women be Jael… for her bravery in the killing commander of the Canaanite army.

Our LORD not only cares for women but he cherishes us as his children.  From Genesis when God created Eve as a helper for Adam to Revelation where the church is called the Bride of Christ, God has blessed the union of men and women. God uses women in a unique way for the furtherance of His kingdom.

Remember at the foot of the cross, John 19:26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” Charging John with her care.

The women came to the cross when the other disciples hid. Women were also the first ones at the tomb.  Mark 16:9 He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, She received the honor of telling the disciples she had seen Jesus; He was alive!

Nothing that happens to us can disqualify us from God’s purpose for our lives. My divorce, devastating as it was at the time, equipped me as a school teacher to comfort and empathize with single mothers the difficulty of raising children alone over issues with discipline, homework, and lack of funds. Even now in my position as TD, God has proven my unmarried status affords me time I need for to serve Him fully.  
God has a very special place for women in His Kingdom, even me.

GOD USES WOMEN TO INFLUENCE OTHER WOMEN

Whenever the Bible highlights a widow or barren women you can expect something extraordinary to occur. Ruth was brought into the kingdom through the influence and godly life of her mother-in-law. Even as she urges Orpah and Ruth to return to their mother’s home, Naomi is showing unselfishness and true love. Yet as Ruth clings to her, Naomi relents. Walking back to Bethlehem alone would have been a lonely and arduous journey. Ruth exemplifies a special love for her mother-in-law by leaving her home and family to care for Naomi in verses 16 & 17. 

¹⁶And Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. ¹⁷Where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried; the LORD do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me."

Ruth and Esther were honored to have books named after them. Ruth, faithful and devoted, even though she is of foreign birth will be in the lineage of the Messiah.  Esther was placed in the palace of a king to save her people from extinction.

In Acts 9: 32-39  Peter visit the saints in Lydda to find Tabitha (Dorcas) who was always doing good and helping the poor became sick and died, All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made. ⁴⁰ Peter sent them out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning to the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man (or woman) who falls and has no one to help him up!

Titus 2:3-5 Paul instructs the older women to teach what is good. train the younger women to love their husbands and children,

1 Timothy 5:10 Give a list qualities of faithful widows  SHE is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

We have a sainted widow in my church. One of my greatest opportunities is to study every week with my friend and mentor, Miss Nellie. This is one time during my busy week where I can sit and enjoy the pleasure of her wisdom and her seemingly endless knowledge of the history of Cramerton. After losing most of the vision in her eyes, she can no long read and has little interest in television. It is my joy to read and discuss our Sunday lesson with her. Sometime I just sit and listen and chuckle to her anecdotes. She explains historical terminology to me, like counterpane and hoe cake. Nellie told me her uncle would be working out in the field, he would carefully clean off the hoe he was using and cook hoecakes right there over an open fire. She will burst out laughing, reminiscing about some the mischief the neighborhood lads had done. She is dearly loved by her family, neighbors, and church family. Though she rarely makes into the church building, Miss Nellie is a prayer warrior and, with the assistance of her loving daughters, she has a card ministry. She loves to phone encouragement to those the homebound and sick.

God has a special place for women in His Kingdom. He is our hope.

I want to challenge you retired ladies to consider mentoring some younger women and younger woman to find some way to minister to the homebound and widows. There are many ways that God can use you.

Will you allow God to use you in His Kingdom?     

Let us prayer.

Lord thank you for the blessing of women who by sharing their lives with us double our joy and halve our sorrows. But let us know true fulfillment comes only through YOU.  In Christ our hearts find a home and hope and peace. Amen.

Samson Judges 13-16

Ladies it has been such a long time since I have had the privilege of teaching the lecture. I am so glad to be back. Did you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving? Praise the LORD.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that there are many gifts of the Spirit. Do you know your gift? If you don’t, why not ask a close friend? They are the ones that can see the manifestation of the Spirit in your life. God doesn’t give us all the same gift. My daughter was given a beautiful singing voice.  I used to stand beside my daughter in our choir and just pretend that beautiful voice, capable of hitting the highest note, was coming from my throat. But God in His marvelous wisdom knew I would be prideful and take credit for my performance. Teaching is one of my talents and I have to constantly remind myself that it is a gift from God, to direct positive remarks to give Him the glory, the One who gave me my teaching abilities. To give Him the honor and praise and adoration! He puts the hunger in me to dig deep and search the scriptures, and he also gives me the days and hours that I need to prepare.

What we do with our gifts is our gift to God! How are you using your gifts? One of my pet phrases is, “use it or lose it!” In the twilight of our lives we need to continue to feed our minds and souls, exercise our vocal chords and keep our fingers nimble. If you have the gift of music or poetry etc., please let us know. We enjoy hearing from our CBS members during Openings. Didn’t Felicia do a great job earlier! Ladies we need to use our gifts, sing his praises, and share how God has blessed us.

Tonight we will talk about Samson, the last of our judges in this book. We will take a few minutes to analyze how well he used his gifts.

The more I studied the more my opinion of Samson has diminished. There are more chapters in the book of Judges devoted to Samson than any other man. God is using the failings of Samson to teach us some important life lessons. Hopefully we will gain wisdom and insight realizing the importance of God’s direction in our Christian walk, when make decisions.

A.B. Simpson expressed it well when he wrote Samson was:  ‘A marvellous example of what God might have done with a thoroughly separated man,
and yet what self-indulgence and sin can do to hinder the glorious promise and the gracious purpose of God.’

 It's not how you start life, but how you finish that counts for God.

   PRAYER  Ladies if you want, open your bible to Judges 13.

While studying about Samson I chose three points for my lecture tonight from Warren Wiersbe’s book, Be Available.      

·        The Child with the Unbelievable Gift
·        The Champion with Undefeatable Power
·        The Man with the Unreliable Character

The Child with the Unbelievable Gift

Judges 13:1 Now the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, so that the Lord gave them into the hands of the Philistines forty years. This will be their longest captivity.

Ladies are you even surprised! This time God’s children did not even cry out for deliverance, but He decided it was time for another miracle.

WW  “When God wants to do something really great in His world, He doesn’t send an army, but an angel,” to deliver a gift for His special use to fulfill God’s own purpose.  In verse 2 we learn Manoah‘s wife was barren and had borne no children.

   vv. 3-7 The Angel of the LORD came to the woman and said” Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son;” ( Angel ascended to heaven in a fire.)

Sound familiar doesn’t it. How wonderful to have an angelic birth announcement.

•      Sarah - Isaac after 90~ Genesis 17:17

•      Rachel - Joseph~ Genesis 30:27   (after Leah had 7 children)

•      Hannah - Samuel~1 Samuel 1:20  Eli the priest

•      Elizabeth-John the Baptist~ Luke 1 Zachariah and Elizabeth “well along in years”

•      Shunammite woman  1 Kings 4  Elisha  “She has no son and her husband is old”

There are several instances in the bible of barren women giving birth in later years: Sarai, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth, and the Shunammite woman who cared for Elisha. Two of these, Sara and Elizabeth received a heavenly visitor as well. These sons were definitely “worth the wait.” We tend to develop great expectation for things we have long awaited.  Manoah and his wife were faithful, devoted Christians. Manoah urgently prayed for wisdom and knowledge to raise this special child.

Judges 13:7   Samson was dedicated to be “a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.”  There are only three mentions made in Scripture of those who were Nazirites for life, Samson Judg. 13:4-5, Samuel, 1 Sam. 1:11;and John the Baptist Luke 1:15. Some sources believe Jesus was a Nazirite.

A Nazirite was one who had taken a special vow before the Lord. The purpose of the vow was to provide a way in which a non-priestly person could dedicate his life to God. The Nazirite vow was voluntary and usually temporary, 30-100 days. But in Samson’s case it was ordained by God to last for his whole life. He was chosen by God before he was born and uniquely gifted for the work he was to do.

JV McGee says of Samson:  “Never was a man born with more glorious opportunities than this man.”

 Let me tells you about a boy who used his blessings as an opportunity to help others. A child prodigy nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize at age 12.

Gregory Smith born in PA in1990 could read by age two and had enrolled in university at 10. By16, Smith was studying for four doctorate degress. His “genius” is only one aspect of this story. Smith has used his media attention to advocate children’s rights around the world. He founded an organization that promotes peace and understanding among the world’s young people. Meeting with leaders of different countries and speaking in front of the UN, he has been nominated 4 times for a Nobel Peace Prize. His humanitarian efforts are benefiting orphans and young people around the world. Smith hopes to create safe havens, protected shelters for children living in war zones and is working to create an international symbol to mark these and provide protection during conflict.

Greg Smith realizes that he cannot accomplish much alone. “I try to reach out to other people and encourage them to take part. One drop doesn’t make an ocean, but with enough drops, you can begin to make a change.”Smith has said.  
Quite a different attitude from the one Samson chose.
It's not how you start in life, but how you finish that matters.
Gregory Smith not only started out well but has continued to excel in his 21 years.
The Champion with Undefeatable Power

The blessing of God rested on Samson from his birth. In Mahaneh Dan young Samson no doubt liked to watch the men get ready for battle. The Spirit of God began to stir in Samson in his teen years when a Jewish boy becomes a “son of the law” and demonstrates his special gifts. That the Spirit stirred him at this military staging area indicates that his life’s work would be the deliverance of his people from the hands of the hated Philistine.

We cannot deny that Samson was a powerful man, a mighty warrior of great strength, but always remember his strength was not his hair.

Supernaturally empowered by the Spirit of the LORD, let’s take a look at some of his extraordinary FEATS of STRENGTH

Judges 14:5-6  Ripped apart a young lion  Could this have been the LORD warning him to get out of the vineyard. 1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

• 14:19 Killed 30 men of Ashkelon for their garments                               
• 15:4 Caught and tied 300 foxes tail to tail & put a torch on each pair           
• 15:8 In vengeance, slaughter a great number of Philistines
• 15:14 Easily broke 2 new cords that bound him
• 15:15 Killed 1,000 men with the new jawbone of an ass 
• 16:3 carried the gates of the city posts and all for several miles to                              Hebron 
• 16:30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

In all of these demonstrations of strength, Samson acted alone in the Spirit of the LORD.  It has been said “God plus 1 is a majority.”
 For 20 years Samson played the champion, but he failed to act as a leader. He never gathered an army or organized the people to fight the Philistines. The only time there was a united military effort was when the 3,000 men of Judah came to Samson to bind him and deliver him over to the enemy. Notice the phrase “the Philistines are rulers over us” Judges 15 v.11

The Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson: 4 times in the NIV, but we never heard him call out to the LORD for wisdom or authorization to act. Samson was more interested in serving himself than serving God. The only reason Samson fought against the Philistines, was when he felt personally wronged or out-smarted.  But fear not, God is still orchestrating the “downfall“  of the Philistines

One of the times Samson did cry out to the LORD is in Judges 15:18. He was weakened from battle and proclaimed he would die of thirst. God produced water from a rock and his strength was revived. Judges 15: ²⁰And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Samson had a good start in life, but it’s how he finished that matters.

The Man with the Unreliable Character

Winston Churchill once described the actions of the Russian “It is a riddle wrapped up in a mystery inside an enigma.” Warren Weirsbe says this quote could be applied to Samson. He was unpredictable and undependable. James 1:8 “a double minded man is unstable in all his ways”

Judges 13:3-5 should have given us a clue (Samson) shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines. JVMcGee   He was a beginner, not a finisher.
 Paul wrote to the Galatians in 5:7   “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?”

Numbers 6 for a more detailed information in the Nazirite vow.

Numbers 6 ³ abstain from wine and beer.  not drink vinegar made from wine or from beer. not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins. ⁴ He is not to eat anything produced by the grapevine, from seeds to skin, during his vow.

Judges 14: ¹ Samson went down to Timnath,(why we ask is he in the camp of the enemy) then he saw a Philistine woman.   Lust of the eyes
 V2.  get her for me to wife.  Selfish motive-lust of the flesh

V3  his father and his mother wisely try to dissuade Samson from choosing a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines. (Unclean)
Samson said, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well. ME,ME, ME
 Judges 17:6  but every man did that which was right in his own eyes

 His parents I am sure were disappointed at the wife their only son had chosen. But God is working even in this.
Samson again is strolling through the vineyards of Timnath   Judges 14:8 …he turned aside to see the honey in the carcass of the lion.  ⁹And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother
Numbers 6:6 Nazirites must not go near a dead body.
The problem began when Samson turned aside. How often have we be tempted by turning aside from what is right and pure and godly! Ladies we must keep our eyes on the LORD.
Samson must think himself quite clever creating a riddle of his little moment of turning aside in the vineyard. It was not very respectful to make light of his sin. Samson compounded his sin by deceiving his parents.
Numbers 6: 5 no razor may be used on his head..

Samson still had his long hair, an outward symbol of a Nazirite; but his heart was not totally focused on God’s purpose for his life. Samson certainly was not bringing glory to God.

Bible stories for Children mention Samson and Delilah, but this week we learned Samson had several ungodly alliances. He had a recurrent weakness.

 Superman’s weakness was kryptonite.  Samson’s weakness was Philistine women.

Proverbs 6:27-28Can a man take fire in his bosom And his clothes not be burned?
                            Or can a man walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched?

Judges 16:19 Delilah Having put him to sleep on her lap, called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him. ²⁰ But he did not know that the LORD had left him. 

Ladies this is the saddest thing of the entire story. Samson did not know that the LORD had left him.

How often do we try to do things in our own strength without God’s guidance or blessing. This is surely a lesson for Christian Living.
Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (James 1:14-15).
 Judges 14:4  says The LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; “ Samson’s last day turned out to be his BEST
There are some SIMILARITIES in lives of Samson and of Jesus Christ - births were foretold about an angel and were dedicated to God from the womb. Both men moved in the power of the Holy Spirit. They were rejected by their people and bound and tortured at the hands of their enemies.

  Many CONTRASTS between Samson’s life and  Jesus

·        Samson live  a life of sin;

·        Jesus life was sinless

·        Sampson at the time at his death prayed, Judges 16:28
I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes

·        Jesus prayed, “ Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”

·         In death Samson's arms were outstretched in wrath.

·        In death Jesus arms were outstretched in love

·         Sampson died.

·        Jesus Christ lives

Friends, many times as Christian we can be distracted by the bus-i-ness of the world and make bad choices in emotional circumstances. The secular world tries to convince us that what the Bible says is outdated or untrue.  A popular phrase in the 60’s  “If it feels good, do it” is still dictating the lives of people today. Sometimes we can’t do what we feel-because it contradicts God WORD and His will for our lives.

Isaiah 55:9 (KJV) ⁹For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

It’s not how you begin, but how you finish that makes the difference.

May we be able to say as Paul:  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Tim. 4:7)

God is still looking for people He can use for His glory.  Will you choose to be available for his call?

If you have problems in your walk with the Lord, I invite you right now to confess to Him, receive His forgiveness and be made ready to be used by Him in His time. 

Any member of the Servants Team or your Core Leader would be happy to talk to you after the lecture.

Let us Pray