Being ‘unequally yoked’ in marriage causes real grief, not just for the husband and wife but for the extended family as well. We see how Samson’s marriage to a Philistine woman ends in disaster.
Judges 14: Samson's Marriage
1 Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines.
2 Then he came up and told his father and mother, "I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife."
3 But his father and mother said to him, "Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?" But Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes."
4 His father and mother did not know that it was from the LORD, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.
5 Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring.
6 Then the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.
7 Then he went down and talked with the woman, and she was right in Samson's eyes.
8 After some days he returned to take her. And he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey.
9 He scraped it out into his hands and went on, eating as he went. And he came to his father and mother and gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey from the carcass of the lion.
10 His father went down to the woman, and Samson prepared a feast there, for so the young men used to do.
11 As soon as the people saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him.
12 And Samson said to them, "Let me now put a riddle to you. If you can tell me what it is, within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes,
13 but if you cannot tell me what it is, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes." And they said to him, "Put your riddle, that we may hear it."
14 And he said to them, "Out of the eater came something to eat. Out of the strong came something sweet." And in three days they could not solve the riddle.
15 On the fourth day they said to Samson's wife, "Entice your husband to tell us what the riddle is, lest we burn you and your father's house with fire. Have you invited us here to impoverish us?"
16 And Samson's wife wept over him and said, "You only hate me; you do not love me. You have put a riddle to my people, and you have not told me what it is." And he said to her, "Behold, I have not told my father nor my mother, and shall I tell you?"
17 She wept before him the seven days that their feast lasted, and on the seventh day he told her, because she pressed him hard. Then she told the riddle to her people.
18 And the men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, "What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?" And he said to them, "If you had not ploughed with my heifer, you would not have found out my riddle."
19 And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon and struck down thirty men of the town and took their spoil and gave the garments to those who had told the riddle. In hot anger he went back to his father's house.
20 And Samson's wife was given to his companion, who had been his best man.
Things to think about…
1. Samson it says ‘saw’ one of the women of the Philistines twice in Jdgs 14:1&2 and it says she was ‘right in my eyes’, vs 3. This defines the era – people did what was right in their own eyes rather than what was right in the Lord’s eyes. Samson was looking at the outward appearance instead of the heart. Do you know a Christian who is considering marriage? Encourage them to look for a heart after Christ. Outward beauty fades but the inward beauty of the Lord goes from glory to glory.
2. Jdgs 14:4 says this turn of events was ‘from the Lord’. Do you look at your children or perhaps other close friends whom you love and think ‘why are they making those choices’? If you have prayed for them, faith says, “all things are working together for the good…” Rom 8:28. We are not at the end of the story. How does God ordain some of these things when He is holy? The Lord delivers His people from sin but often uses personal sin to bring them to their knees.
3. Samson after killing the lion and eating the honey poses a riddle that puts his new wife in immediate danger, Jdgs 14:12. His lack of love for her is immediately evident. This emotional weakness was to plague him his whole life. He does not honour the covenant of marriage and gives his wife to his best man as wife. Lusting after the flesh will never result in any spiritual blessing.
4. Despite his moral failings we see the “Spirit of the Lord” coming upon Samson, Jdgs 14:6&19. Rejoice in the fact that He uses us despite our failures and weaknesses and “His Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are indeed children of the Lord”, Rom 8:16.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Continuing through the Sermon on the Mount. Wednesday night 6:30pm.
Young adult Life group - a meat lovers lunch this Sunday week after church!
Prayer Points
1. Graham Willey and family. Graham’s mum is near the end of her earthly journey. She is looking forward to being home with her Saviour Jesus. Pray for peace, comfort and hope at this time.
2. Pray for Pastor Ric as he heals and seeks further medical advice.
3. 30th June Special meeting re financial position and direction of the church.
4. Keep praying for Anna and the Playgroup, pray for more families to be reached.
5. The ongoing conflict in Israel and Ukraine.
6. Church finances to cover all expenses. Budget presently not being met.
7. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults.
8. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 5:30pm at church. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
9. Pray about the possibility and planning of a Farmers Market at Chuwar Baptist Church on Saturdays. Anastasia taking the lead on this. Pray for us as we plan
10. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
11. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for our faithful elders. Doug was a blessing on Sunday as he took the pulpit for Pr Jay.
2. 2 new mums at Playgroup this week. Anna doing a fantastic job.
3. Tad’s and Glenys’s health continues to improve.
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Playgroup 9:30-11am on Friday.
2. Dr Rose Blackwood speaking on the “Culture of abortion in the Australian medical industry” Sunday 23rd June.
3. Special Members (all congregation) meeting 30th June after the service. Lunch afterwards
4. Young Adults after church on Sunday – Meat Mayhem lunch!”.
5. Working bee Saturday morning 13th July. Please contact Che for a list jobs and requirements.
6. Monday and Wednesday evening prayer at church 5:30-6:30pm
7. Life Group Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
8. Kids@Church every Sunday.
9. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
10. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for June...
Q. 21. In what condition did God make Adam and Eve? A. He made them holy and happy.
Bible References – Gen.1:26-28; Ps.8:4-8.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
