Judges 16: What Do You Do When Your Deliverer Needs Deliverance?

Welcome to Chapter by Chapter for your Welcome to Chapter by Chapter for your journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given to the human race. The word of God, the to the human race. The word of God, the to the human race. The word of God, the Bible, and we get to go through it Bible, and we get to go through it Bible, and we get to go through it chapter by chapter. chapter by chapter. chapter by chapter. 7 minutes a day and 7 days a week. Join 7 minutes a day and 7 days a week. Join 7 minutes a day and 7 days a week. Join us each day and share it with others so us each day and share it with others so us each day and share it with others so they can join this journey that will be they can join this journey that will be they can join this journey that will be life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. places on the journey and be challenged. places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder, Some verses will create awe and wonder, Some verses will create awe and wonder, while others where we will find joy and while others where we will find joy and while others where we will find joy and comfort. We will occasionally be comfort. We will occasionally be comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in convicted and want to change, but all in convicted and want to change, but all in all the journey will be worth it. Once all the journey will be worth it. Once all the journey will be worth it. Once in a while we may take a detour on the in a while we may take a detour on the in a while we may take a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's journey and hear from some of God's journey and hear from some of God's servants on their favorite passages from servants on their favorite passages from servants on their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give a chapter of scripture and let them give a chapter of scripture and let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a you their insight. Every journey needs a you their insight. Every journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way small detour occasionally. The best way small detour occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is to get the most from this podcast is to get the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before read the chapter we're discussing before read the chapter we're discussing before or after. It's His word that transforms. or after. It's His word that transforms. or after. It's His word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by Chapter and today's chapter is Judges Chapter and today's chapter is Judges Chapter and today's chapter is Judges 16. What do you do when your deliverer 16. What do you do when your deliverer 16. What do you do when your deliverer needs deliverance? needs deliverance? needs deliverance? Success is not always God's confirmation Success is not always God's confirmation Success is not always God's confirmation and endorsement of you and your and endorsement of you and your and endorsement of you and your lifestyle. But it may be an act of God's lifestyle. But it may be an act of God's lifestyle. But it may be an act of God's kindness towards you, but not as kindness towards you, but not as kindness towards you, but not as blessing on you.

blessing on you. blessing on you. I will explain shortly what I mean. I will explain shortly what I mean. I will explain shortly what I mean. First, let me tell you about an First, let me tell you about an First, let me tell you about an incredible miracle in the Bible that incredible miracle in the Bible that incredible miracle in the Bible that gets overlooked based on lack of gets overlooked based on lack of gets overlooked based on lack of information. information. information. It happens in the middle of the night. It happens in the middle of the night. It happens in the middle of the night. Says in Judges 16:3, "But Samson lay Says in Judges 16:3, "But Samson lay Says in Judges 16:3, "But Samson lay there only until the middle of the there only until the middle of the there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up to hold of the night. Then he got up to hold of the night. Then he got up to hold of the doors of the city gate together with the doors of the city gate together with the doors of the city gate together with the two posts and tore them loose, bar and two posts and tore them loose, bar and two posts and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill carried them to the top of the hill carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron." Samson was sleeping that faces Hebron." Samson was sleeping that faces Hebron." Samson was sleeping in Gaza. in Gaza. in Gaza. It was one of the five major cities of It was one of the five major cities of It was one of the five major cities of the Philistines. A city's gates were of the Philistines. A city's gates were of the Philistines. A city's gates were of great significance. The difference great significance. The difference great significance. The difference between a a between a a between a a and a town was that a city had a wall and a town was that a city had a wall and a town was that a city had a wall with gates and the gates symbolized that with gates and the gates symbolized that with gates and the gates symbolized that city's strength. The city gates of major city's strength. The city gates of major city's strength. The city gates of major cities had to be wide enough for cities had to be wide enough for cities had to be wide enough for chariots to drive through. They chariots to drive through. They chariots to drive through. They consisted of double doors made of wood consisted of double doors made of wood consisted of double doors made of wood to prevent easy entry by an enemy. So, to prevent easy entry by an enemy. So, to prevent easy entry by an enemy. So, they had to be made of thick boards.

they had to be made of thick boards. they had to be made of thick boards. They were barred on the side by means of They were barred on the side by means of They were barred on the side by means of a heavy horizontal beam which slid a heavy horizontal beam which slid a heavy horizontal beam which slid through the slots in the door posts. The through the slots in the door posts. The through the slots in the door posts. The doors were braced by wooden posts and doors were braced by wooden posts and doors were braced by wooden posts and the outside was pivoted in stone the outside was pivoted in stone the outside was pivoted in stone sockets. The gates of Gaza that Samson sockets. The gates of Gaza that Samson sockets. The gates of Gaza that Samson pulled out of their sockets and hoisted pulled out of their sockets and hoisted pulled out of their sockets and hoisted onto his shoulders and carried has been onto his shoulders and carried has been onto his shoulders and carried has been calculated to be between 10,700 calculated to be between 10,700 calculated to be between 10,700 lb and possibly 21,400 lb and possibly 21,400 lb and possibly 21,400 lb depending on the thickness of the lb depending on the thickness of the lb depending on the thickness of the door. door. door. This was calculated by the material This was calculated by the material This was calculated by the material used, cedar and bronze, and the size of used, cedar and bronze, and the size of used, cedar and bronze, and the size of the doors. Samson took not only the the doors. Samson took not only the the doors. Samson took not only the gates, but the posts as well. Samson not gates, but the posts as well. Samson not gates, but the posts as well. Samson not only uprooted the gates and the post, only uprooted the gates and the post, only uprooted the gates and the post, but also carried them for some 40 mi but also carried them for some 40 mi but also carried them for some 40 mi uphill to Israelite territory. uphill to Israelite territory. uphill to Israelite territory. Apparently, he set them up on a hill for Apparently, he set them up on a hill for Apparently, he set them up on a hill for everyone to see. What a miracle. everyone to see. What a miracle. everyone to see. What a miracle. The weight of what he carried, the The weight of what he carried, the The weight of what he carried, the distance, and it being uphill, it's a distance, and it being uphill, it's a distance, and it being uphill, it's a miracle. We all know that this was God miracle. We all know that this was God miracle. We all know that this was God giving this man supernatural strength giving this man supernatural strength giving this man supernatural strength for this.

for this. for this. Can I tell you that I personally believe Can I tell you that I personally believe Can I tell you that I personally believe that Samson was a small man? If he was that Samson was a small man? If he was that Samson was a small man? If he was huge and muscular, why would people ask, huge and muscular, why would people ask, huge and muscular, why would people ask, "Where do you get your strength from?" "Where do you get your strength from?" "Where do you get your strength from?" Though the miracle gets overlooked Though the miracle gets overlooked Though the miracle gets overlooked because of lack of information, the because of lack of information, the because of lack of information, the setting gets overlooked for lack of setting gets overlooked for lack of setting gets overlooked for lack of reading. reading. reading. To me, what is even more unbelievable is To me, what is even more unbelievable is To me, what is even more unbelievable is the context and where Samson got up at the context and where Samson got up at the context and where Samson got up at night. This is Judges 16:1. One day night. This is Judges 16:1. One day night. This is Judges 16:1. One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. prostitute. prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her, He went in to spend the night with her, He went in to spend the night with her, but Samson lay there only until the but Samson lay there only until the but Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. middle of the night. middle of the night. Then he got up to cold of the doors of Then he got up to cold of the doors of Then he got up to cold of the doors of the city gate together with the two the city gate together with the two the city gate together with the two posts and tore them loose bar and all, posts and tore them loose bar and all, posts and tore them loose bar and all, lifted them to his shoulders and carried lifted them to his shoulders and carried lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces them to the top of the hill that faces them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron. Hebron. Hebron. He was getting up from a night of He was getting up from a night of He was getting up from a night of fornication in a brothel bed.

fornication in a brothel bed. fornication in a brothel bed. After sleeping with a prostitute, this After sleeping with a prostitute, this After sleeping with a prostitute, this man experienced the power of God. man experienced the power of God. man experienced the power of God. How can this be? How can this be? How can this be? I can only tell you what we have before I can only tell you what we have before I can only tell you what we have before us in Judges 16. So, let me say it us in Judges 16. So, let me say it us in Judges 16. So, let me say it again. again. again. Success is not always God's confirmation Success is not always God's confirmation Success is not always God's confirmation and endorsement of you and your life. and endorsement of you and your life. and endorsement of you and your life. May be an act of kindness towards you, May be an act of kindness towards you, May be an act of kindness towards you, but not as blessing on you. but not as blessing on you. but not as blessing on you. So, how do we process this? So, how do we process this? So, how do we process this? How do we explain this blatant sin and How do we explain this blatant sin and How do we explain this blatant sin and supernatural strength at the same time? supernatural strength at the same time? supernatural strength at the same time? This could be what we were seeing This could be what we were seeing This could be what we were seeing happening in mega-church pulpits and happening in mega-church pulpits and happening in mega-church pulpits and churches around our country. When you churches around our country. When you churches around our country. When you see God bless you while you're living in see God bless you while you're living in see God bless you while you're living in compromise and sin, remember this is not compromise and sin, remember this is not compromise and sin, remember this is not God's approval, it's God's kindness God's approval, it's God's kindness God's approval, it's God's kindness that should have the result of that should have the result of that should have the result of repentance, not the continuance in repentance, not the continuance in repentance, not the continuance in compromise. The Apostle Paul says it compromise. The Apostle Paul says it compromise. The Apostle Paul says it like this in Romans 2:4, "Or do you like this in Romans 2:4, "Or do you like this in Romans 2:4, "Or do you think lightly of the riches of his think lightly of the riches of his think lightly of the riches of his kindness and tolerance and patience, not kindness and tolerance and patience, not kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads knowing that the kindness of God leads knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" If God's kindness you to repentance?" If God's kindness you to repentance?" If God's kindness does not lead to repentance, Paul goes does not lead to repentance, Paul goes does not lead to repentance, Paul goes on to give the alternative in the next on to give the alternative in the next on to give the alternative in the next verse, Romans 2:5, verse, Romans 2:5, verse, Romans 2:5, "But because you are stubborn and refuse "But because you are stubborn and refuse "But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing to turn from your sin, you are storing to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself, for up terrible punishment for yourself, for up terrible punishment for yourself, for a day of anger is coming when God's a day of anger is coming when God's a day of anger is coming when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. As righteous judgment will be revealed. As righteous judgment will be revealed. As I read this story, all I think about is I read this story, all I think about is I read this story, all I think about is what do you do when your deliverer needs

what do you do when your deliverer needs what do you do when your deliverer needs deliverance? deliverance? deliverance? Samson was to be Israel's deliverer and Samson was to be Israel's deliverer and Samson was to be Israel's deliverer and this man needs deliverance himself. this man needs deliverance himself. this man needs deliverance himself. When you let stubbornness guide you and When you let stubbornness guide you and When you let stubbornness guide you and still live in sin, but see God's still live in sin, but see God's still live in sin, but see God's blessing, you are setting yourself up blessing, you are setting yourself up blessing, you are setting yourself up for a day of discipline and judgment. for a day of discipline and judgment. for a day of discipline and judgment. You see it in Samson right after the You see it in Samson right after the You see it in Samson right after the miracle. He has now moved from miracle. He has now moved from miracle. He has now moved from stubbornness into deception. He goes stubbornness into deception. He goes stubbornness into deception. He goes from the bed of a prostitute into the from the bed of a prostitute into the from the bed of a prostitute into the arms of a woman that will eventually be arms of a woman that will eventually be arms of a woman that will eventually be his downfall, Delilah. Judges 16:4 says his downfall, Delilah. Judges 16:4 says his downfall, Delilah. Judges 16:4 says this, "After this it came about that he this, "After this it came about that he this, "After this it came about that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah." whose name was Delilah." whose name was Delilah." She would find out his secret was in his She would find out his secret was in his She would find out his secret was in his Nazarite vow and his hair. Nazarite vow and his hair. Nazarite vow and his hair. She would woo him to sleep on her lap She would woo him to sleep on her lap She would woo him to sleep on her lap and then call the Philistines to shave and then call the Philistines to shave and then call the Philistines to shave his head. What comes next is what I his head. What comes next is what I his head. What comes next is what I heard David Wilkerson call the saddest heard David Wilkerson call the saddest heard David Wilkerson call the saddest verse in the Bible. It's Judges 16:20. verse in the Bible. It's Judges 16:20. verse in the Bible. It's Judges 16:20. This is what it says, This is what it says, This is what it says, "Then she called, 'Samson, the "Then she called, 'Samson, the "Then she called, 'Samson, the Philistines are upon you.' He awoke from Philistines are upon you.' He awoke from Philistines are upon you.' He awoke from his sleep and thought, 'I'll go out as his sleep and thought, 'I'll go out as his sleep and thought, 'I'll go out as before and shake myself free.' But he before and shake myself free.' But he before and shake myself free.' But he did not know that the Lord had left did not know that the Lord had left did not know that the Lord had left him."

him." him." Samson was so used to waking up out of a Samson was so used to waking up out of a Samson was so used to waking up out of a sinful night and experiencing the power sinful night and experiencing the power sinful night and experiencing the power of God and then one morning it all of God and then one morning it all of God and then one morning it all changed. The Lord had left him. changed. The Lord had left him. changed. The Lord had left him. Those words are frightening. Those words are frightening. Those words are frightening. The great Puritan writer John Owen once The great Puritan writer John Owen once The great Puritan writer John Owen once said, "He that hath slight thoughts of said, "He that hath slight thoughts of said, "He that hath slight thoughts of sin never had great thoughts about God." sin never had great thoughts about God." sin never had great thoughts about God." Samson always had slight thoughts of Samson always had slight thoughts of Samson always had slight thoughts of sin. His life never had great thoughts sin. His life never had great thoughts sin. His life never had great thoughts about God except at the end. And at the about God except at the end. And at the about God except at the end. And at the end, Samson seemed to get the kindness end, Samson seemed to get the kindness end, Samson seemed to get the kindness of God. of God. of God. God can take a thief on the cross who God can take a thief on the cross who God can take a thief on the cross who cried out to Jesus, "Remember me." and cried out to Jesus, "Remember me." and cried out to Jesus, "Remember me." and his whole eternity changed. That thief his whole eternity changed. That thief his whole eternity changed. That thief would be in heaven after a life which would be in heaven after a life which would be in heaven after a life which was an utter disaster because he cried was an utter disaster because he cried was an utter disaster because he cried to God on the cross. to God on the cross. to God on the cross. Samson Samson Samson is the Old Testament thief on the cross. is the Old Testament thief on the cross. is the Old Testament thief on the cross. He has his remember me moment that He has his remember me moment that He has his remember me moment that really is this man responding to the really is this man responding to the really is this man responding to the kindness of God.

kindness of God. kindness of God. What kindness would he respond to? What kindness would he respond to? What kindness would he respond to? Right after the saddest verse in the Right after the saddest verse in the Right after the saddest verse in the Bible, the most hopeful verse of this Bible, the most hopeful verse of this Bible, the most hopeful verse of this man's life crashes in just before he man's life crashes in just before he man's life crashes in just before he would die. This is what it says in would die. This is what it says in would die. This is what it says in Judges 16:22. Judges 16:22. Judges 16:22. However, However, However, the hair of his head began to grow again the hair of his head began to grow again the hair of his head began to grow again after it was shaved off. after it was shaved off. after it was shaved off. This is incredible. This is incredible. This is incredible. His hair started to grow which was the His hair started to grow which was the His hair started to grow which was the secret to his strength. I think Samson's secret to his strength. I think Samson's secret to his strength. I think Samson's prayer would be much like the thief's prayer would be much like the thief's prayer would be much like the thief's prayer. Samson prayed this in Judges prayer. Samson prayed this in Judges prayer. Samson prayed this in Judges 16:28. 16:28. 16:28. Then Samson called to the Lord and said, Then Samson called to the Lord and said, Then Samson called to the Lord and said, "O Lord God, please remember "O Lord God, please remember "O Lord God, please remember me me me and please strengthen me just this time. and please strengthen me just this time. and please strengthen me just this time. O God that I may at once be avenged of O God that I may at once be avenged of O God that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes." Samson the Philistines for my two eyes." Samson the Philistines for my two eyes." Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which grasped the two middle pillars on which grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, braced himself against the house rested, braced himself against the house rested, braced himself against them, the one with his right hand and them, the one with his right hand and them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left, and Samson the other with his left, and Samson the other with his left, and Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines."

said, "Let me die with the Philistines." said, "Let me die with the Philistines." And he bent with all of his might so And he bent with all of his might so And he bent with all of his might so that the house fell on the lords and all that the house fell on the lords and all that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead the people who were in it. So the dead the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more whom he killed at his death were more whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life. than those whom he killed in his life. than those whom he killed in his life. God did it again. God did it again. God did it again. God gave him hair God gave him hair God gave him hair and God gave him strength and God gave and God gave him strength and God gave and God gave him strength and God gave him victory over the Philistines. The him victory over the Philistines. The him victory over the Philistines. The kindness of God led him to repentance kindness of God led him to repentance kindness of God led him to repentance this time. this time. this time. I really believe this was his redemptive I really believe this was his redemptive I really believe this was his redemptive moment. Though his whole life was a moment. Though his whole life was a moment. Though his whole life was a mess, God rescued him in his final mess, God rescued him in his final mess, God rescued him in his final hours. And ready for this? hours. And ready for this? hours. And ready for this? God would put him in the Hall of Faith God would put him in the Hall of Faith God would put him in the Hall of Faith in the New Testament. This is what in the New Testament. This is what in the New Testament. This is what Hebrews 11:32 says. How much more do I Hebrews 11:32 says. How much more do I Hebrews 11:32 says. How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to need to say? It would take too long to need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of recount the stories of the faith of recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith, these people prophets. By faith, these people prophets. By faith, these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, received what God had promised them.

received what God had promised them. received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched They shut the mouths of lions, quenched They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, escaped death by the the flames of fire, escaped death by the the flames of fire, escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was edge of the sword. Their weakness was edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength, and they became turned to strength, and they became turned to strength, and they became strong in battle, and put whole armies strong in battle, and put whole armies strong in battle, and put whole armies to flight. to flight. to flight. That's how serious God takes those who That's how serious God takes those who That's how serious God takes those who get it right, even if it's your final get it right, even if it's your final get it right, even if it's your final words in life. words in life. words in life. Samson got it right at the end. I just Samson got it right at the end. I just Samson got it right at the end. I just wish he would have done it like this for wish he would have done it like this for wish he would have done it like this for the 20 years he judged Israel. the 20 years he judged Israel. the 20 years he judged Israel. I want to finish well. I want to finish well. I want to finish well. Billy Sunday was a pro baseball player Billy Sunday was a pro baseball player Billy Sunday was a pro baseball player in the early 1900s who became one of the in the early 1900s who became one of the in the early 1900s who became one of the most famous preachers of his day, and most famous preachers of his day, and most famous preachers of his day, and laid the groundwork for Billy Graham laid the groundwork for Billy Graham laid the groundwork for Billy Graham crusade. Billy Sunday said, "Stopping at crusade. Billy Sunday said, "Stopping at crusade. Billy Sunday said, "Stopping at third adds no more to the score than third adds no more to the score than third adds no more to the score than striking out. Doesn't matter how well striking out. Doesn't matter how well striking out. Doesn't matter how well you start if you fail to finish. I don't you start if you fail to finish. I don't you start if you fail to finish. I don't want to stop at third. want to stop at third. want to stop at third. I want to cross the plate at the end." I want to cross the plate at the end." I want to cross the plate at the end." Thank you for joining Chapter by Thank you for joining Chapter by Thank you for joining Chapter by Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the word of God, 7 book, the Bible, the word of God, 7 book, the Bible, the word of God, 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.