Title: Wrong start/Judges 14:1-4
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Today, we are going to think about the words we are going to ponder last Sunday evening because of the Easter United Worship.
In today's verse, Samson is introduced in relation to the incident where he took a woman from Timnah, a land of Philistia, as his wife and threw a banquet there. Samson loved a Philistine woman, but met opposition from his parents, and managed to get married, but broke up because of his wife's betrayal, killed a lion, and killed 30 Philistines. In these events of joy and love, we see that Samson's life is quite humane, adventurous, and unethical compared to his godly birth. This is precisely because his life got off to a bad start. I hope that you can learn a lesson from the issue of marriage, which can be seen as the beginning of his public ministry through the events of this text.
1. It was started by lust.
Samson is of marriageable age, and when choosing a wife, he chooses the criteria based on his appearance and lust. Verse 1 says, “Samson went down to Timnah and there he saw a woman among the Philistine daughters.” The word 'to see' here means to look at the appearance or appearance. Judging from this, even though Samson was his chosen one, when choosing a mate, he did not choose him based on faith or virility, but based on his outward appearance and fell in love with a woman. Also, in verse 3, it can be seen in the meaning of "She made me happy". From this, it seems that Samson enjoyed only the lusts of the flesh, regardless of his faith. So are we. When making a decision on a major issue, ignoring the appearance of reason and faith, and being guided only by lust, appearance, and emotion, you should remember what the end result will be.
2. It was the beginning of stubbornness.
It is said that Hebrews cannot marry without parental permission. However, once you are married, you can take over the property your parents allow, and you can leave your parents and join your wife. So parental permission determines a very important place in marriage. Therefore, Samson's parents gave real advice about marrying a Philistine daughter because Samson's marriage to a Philistine daughter is a yoke to an unbeliever in the sense of the New Testament (2 Corinthians 6:14). ) Clearly, the law prohibits cross-marriage with strangers, stating, "You shall not marry a foreigner, you shall not give your daughter to your son, and you shall not take your daughter as your daughter-in-law" (Deuteronomy 7:3). However, Samson's parents reluctantly allowed the marriage because they knew Samson's stubbornness and self-righteous attitude. Encourage your children and young family members around you to get married with biblical admonitions and teachings. It is a really important lesson, and it will be a precious gift.
3. It is a humanistic beginning.
There is a saying in Western proverbs. "Don't steal a candle to read the Bible"
In other words, even if you start work with a good purpose, the method must not be bad. Samson's starting point was not from God's point of view, but from human thinking. He had his own excuses and reasons for his unfair marriage. Verse 4 says, “(Judges 14:4) At that time, Samson took advantage of the opportunity to attack the Philistines, because the Philistines were in control of Israel, but their parents did not know that this was the Lord. ." is written. This is a clear indication of Samson's intention to marry a Philistine woman despite the opposition of his parents. Samson thought that the circumstances of the time were suitable for attacking the Philistines, so he tried to carry out his plan by disguising his marriage. However, Samson's plan is unbiblical and reckless from God's point of view, and Samson will pay the price (Judges 16:21). There shouldn't be anything that makes things funny or wrong.
conclude the word.
Samson's faults can be seen in that his beginnings were lustful, worldly, and extremely humanistic. Even though it is God's chosen white paper, we always remember that wrong choices, thoughts, and actions are never made as we wish, and will lead to the wrong path, eventually destroying ourselves and ignoring God's grace, always remembering God's words and advice. , please follow your guidance.