This post is Day 11 in a series of studies about “Samson”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Samson – Day 11

The Vengeance of Samson on the Philistines. This chapter tells us of the ungodly attitude this judge of Israel had towards his enemies. But in those Old Testament times, it seems as though fighting was the way to make progress! Some cultures of our world today still think that way!

Judges 15:1-2

Later on, at the time of wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. He said, “I’m going to my wife’s room.” But her father would not let him go in. “I was so sure you hated her,” he said, “that I gave her to your companion. Isn’t her younger sister more attractive? Take her instead.”

The Thought

This chapter in my Bible is headed “Samson’s Vengeance on the Philistines”. It tells us something of the ungodly attitude this judge of Israel had towards his enemies. But in those Old Testament times, it seems as though fighting was the way to make progress! Some cultures of our world today still think that way!

New Testament teaching does certainly not encourage getting our own back on someone. Paul wrote Do not take revenge my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is mine to avenge says The Lord (Romans 12:19).

But in fact Paul was more or less quoting what God had said generations before to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 32:35. It is mine to avenge; I will repay.

We read in Numbers 13 that God instructed Moses that he would soon be taken to Heaven. But before that he was to organise a small army to carry out The Lord’s vengeance on the Midianites (Numbers 31:3).

Isaiah tells us The Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution to uphold Zion’s cause (Isaiah 34:8).

Samson’s reaction in not being allowed to see his wife because she had been given to someone else was one of fury. Samson said to them, “This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them” (Judges 15:3).

Action

Read one of the chapters mentioned above today and pray for anyone with whom you have a dispute at the moment. Ask yourself if you believe that God will plead your case and sort things out for you.

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