Title: Two Eyes Interpreting Temptation
Contents
Judges 16:1-14
These were the words I prepared for this morning's prayer, but I overslept today due to my laziness. Still, I lift the thought of sharing the word.
Today's sermon is the story of Samson that began in Judges 13. The life of a judge named Samson occupies more space than any other account of the judges, and of all the judges, it best describes the spiritual state of Israel at this time. In other words, Samson was born as a ‘Nazirite’ set apart by God, but he fails to fully accept the fact that he is set apart by God. Just as Israel continued to worship foreign gods despite warnings, so Samson continues to pursue foreign women. And just as Israel turned to Jehovah for help when they were in a desperate state, Samson twice earnestly asks God for help. One was crying out to the Lord out of thirst for an unknown reason that we saw yesterday (Judges 15:18), and the other is in the words of tomorrow (Judges 16:28).
Therefore, the text of this great temptation and fall should be interpreted and applied in two ways. One is the aspect of personal and social ethics, and the other is the approach from the perspective of the history and providence of the kingdom of God.
So I don't think there is a better way than to direct our steps and focus our minds towards a stronger and safer place, so that there is no time left in such a place, and that there is no mind left there. This is the only reason why we cannot abandon the belief that there is still hope in the early morning prayers and all-night prayers of the 20th century even in the high-tech society of the 21st century. You all know well that just because you go to morning prayer doesn't mean you don't commit sins just because you go to an all-night prayer. However, even if you fall into a momentary sin and lose your heart by temptation, you rub your eyes in the morning to go to the early morning prayer, leaving a mountain of things to be organized in the house and the work to be done at the company to go to the all-night prayer meeting. In the step that comes, God works wonders.
But this Word of God is by no means exhausted to give us an ethical lesson not to give in to sexual temptation. Rather, it is to show God's economy that works through human weakness and God's love for this corrupt and dirty human world.
On the surface, Samson seems like a leader out of control. But take a good look. It is clear that God is using this very Samson to accomplish His purpose. Samson was clearly a Nazarite set apart from God. But he never fully realized that he was distinct. Rather, he inwardly wanted to enjoy the pleasures that others enjoyed. Why can't I have someone like that? Why can't I have such pleasure? Why can't I have cars and stuff like that? It will be a question we all ask countless times, and Samson agrees to this question too. And I saw that hope through Delilah. Delilah was the only way that could make Samson a normal human being, and Samson chose that path.
But, ironically, as a result of these choices, he was never able to lead a normal, everyday life. On the contrary, he is dragged to the forefront of a conflict where he must engage in a final battle with the Philistines. It was because he was drawn into the hands of ordinary people whom he had chosen. Samson wanted to be like everyone else, but God did not allow him to be, just as God did not allow Israel to be like any other Gentile nation. Samson's struggle against the calling he had received was the same as the conflict of the whole of Israel. And that conflict is also our conflict today. As a Christian, I know that I have been given the mission of salt and light in the world, but I still struggle with the desire to think, respond, and deal in the same way as people in the world.
But what we should remember in it is 2 Timothy 1:7. “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” If you can feel the conflict in the world, you are really grateful. It is a sign from the Lord to show us how strong, powerful, and exquisite His economy and plan are. At this time, I pray that you will give up your “fearful heart” and pray for power, love, and a self-controlled heart. God, who used even Samson's weakness as his tool and power, will listen to our weakness and conflict today and prove the mission of salt and light in the world. God drives us to a separate life in order to complete His kingdom, even if we make mistakes and make mistakes, who have never vowed to live a separate life. Even if we make mistakes, God never fails. This is faith and power.