The book of Judges is one train wreck after another. The people of Israel would worship other gods, the LORD would bring an enemy to oppress them, they would repent and the LORD would then raise up a judge. The judge would help the people to fight their oppressors. Then the cycle would start over after the judge died. Judges 1-12
One judge was named Samson. The LORD told his parents before he was born he was not to drink fermented drinks or cut his hair. He would be a Nazarite till he died. Judges 13:7
When Samson became a young man, he liked the women! A lot! He asked his father to get a woman as a wife from their enemies.
One day, Samson was set upon by a lion. He tore the lion apart, killing it with his bare hands. Judges 14:6
Samson went to the woman he desired and later he walked by the carcass of the dead lion, a swarm of bees had taken up residence in the body of the dead lion. Samson tasted the honey, knowing he was not to touch a dead body because he was a Nazarite and was not permitted to touch a dead body.
Judges 14:5-6
Samson and his parents made a feast for his future wife’s male companions. He was to provide them with clothing. 30 sets of clothing, one for each man. Samson didn’t really want to pay that much money, so he made them a deal, if they could guess his riddle, he would pay them with a set of clothing. But if they could not guess his riddle, they would pay him. They did not guess the riddle and they pressured his bride to find out the riddle. If she didn’t they threatened to burn her and her father’s house with fire.
For seven days, Samson had a weeping, scared wife. He finally told her the answer to the riddle. She told the 30 men and they told Samson the meaning of the riddle. It was all about the honey in the carcass of the lion. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson, he killed 30 other enemies, took their clothes and gave it to his wife’s friends.
Samson was angry! So angry he went home to his parents and his wife was given to one of his friends by her father. Samson went to get his wife, but her father did not let him go to her.
Samson, Samson, you are going to create another train wreck! He caught 300 foxes, tied them in pairs and set their tails on fire sending them into a field of ripe grain. The grain fields were burned up. And his wife and father were burned with fire by their own countrymen. Judges 15:1-6
God’s Word ~ Alive!
Romans 12:19
“Never take revenge, beloved,
but leave room for wrath of God, for it is written,
Vengeance is Mine,
I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Be warned!
Train wrecks happen when revenge is executed.