Title Judges 16:28-31 Prayer for power
Contents
Judges 16:28~31 Prayer for power Topic: 14. Prayer 2005. 7. 10.
◎ Introduction
: It is not enough to turn a millstone in prison with both eyes plucked out and chained to brass. The Philistines killed Samson.
Bring them to the temple they serve (a large temple dedicated to Dagon) and have them perform their tricks (no record of what kind of skill they are).
※ Samson, who has been insulted like this, asks God to give him a chance to take revenge even by death.
God answers this prayer.
※ Samson's eyes are plucked out and his body is captured by the Philistines, but in the end, he uses great power to destroy the Philistines and finish his end.
◎ Samson's prayer and God's answer (28-29)
One). Samson's Prayer (28)
※ I pray to God to take revenge (revenge) from my indescribably humiliating situation (both eyes are pulled out and jade stones are turned while being held in brass bands, and made to perform tricks in the temple of Dagon).(28)
※ “Only this time” shows a strong will to take revenge even through his own death.
※ The extent of his revenge against the Philistines can be seen from the words, “I will avenge my enemies for removing my two eyes at once.” But it wasn't just human retaliation.
※ Samson's prayer, expressed in strong revenge, shows what kind of insult he suffered,
It was a ritual of duty as a judge to annihilate the Philistines, the enemies of God and the enemies of Israel.
※ This desperate prayer of Samson who risked his life was answered.
2). Samson's deeds after prayer (29-30)
※ After praying, Samson stands between the two pillars, hugs the pillar with both arms, and bends over.
“I want to die with the Philistines.”
“And they bowed down with all their might, and immediately the house fell, and it fell over all the princes and all the people who were in it.”
“There were more people who killed Samson when he died than those who killed him while he was alive.”
※ Holding the two pillars supporting the house, (Prayer = laying on hands)
Let's do our best, wanting to die with the Philistines (content of prayer)
The temple collapsed “soon”. (Result of prayer)
3). Consequences of works (30)
※ “There were more people who killed when they died than those who killed while they were alive.” It tells how many people gathered there, and how great the victory Samson won with his death.
Meditation and Application
: Samson's tragic end was foretold when he fell in love with the woman of Timnah.
※ Although he was born as a Nazarite and learned the rules of a Nazarite, it was decided that his end would be miserable from the moment he put his own will before God's.
※ The result of doing what you wanted without correcting this wrong start was the result of being ridiculed by the adversary.
※ As such, failure and ruin do not come suddenly one day, but are the result of living insensitively and condoning sin for a long time.
(Proverbs 29:1, Luke 12:49, John 3:36, Romans 1:18, Ephesians 5:3-7, 2 Peter 2:9, 3:7)
“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly fall into ruin, and there will be no escape” (Proverbs 29:1).
◎ Buried in Manoa's burial place (31)
※ Samson's body is buried by his relatives.
※ Samson was buried in the place where his father was buried, between Sora and Esdaol (the place where he was born).
Meditation and Application
: In spite of Samson's tragic end, he is named as an outstanding leader of faith (Hebrews 11:32).
※ This is for the sake of Israel, despite Samson's weakness in being unable to control his fleshly desires throughout his life.
When used as a servant of God, it shows that he was a person who completely trusted God.
(Sometimes he appeared foolish and weak by indulging in carnal desires, but in the midst of it, he believed and relied on God.)
“What more shall I do? I do not have enough time to tell the things of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel, and the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32).
◎ Conclusion:
1. Samson looked back on his shameful past and repented.
He thought of the duty of judges, that is, the glory of God, and prayed with the intention of dying.
After praying, Samson put his hands to the two pillars as he prayed and put all his strength into prayer.
As a result, the temple collapsed (solving the problem).
2. Taking this as a lesson, all the members of our church seek God
I pray with the determination to die, and pray with all my might, and pray that all problems will be resolved.