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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
May 1924
the Philistines.” The sequel -has been— broken vows, broken homes, sorrowful lives and the wreck of other lives through a had example. Samson could not conquer self. He could slay a thou sand men in the power of the Spirit, but one sin overpow ered him. (4) A SLAVE TO SELF AND SIN, “ And it came to pass; afterward, that he loved a woman*** whose name was Delilah” 16:4. One sin overpowered him. He trifled with sin. Step by step his own life was undermined and he fell lower and lower. He separated himself from God and the power of the Spirit was gone. He flattered himself that he could sin and yet conquer, but he at last awoke to a consciousness of his failure. He said, “ I will go out as at other times, and wist not that the Lord was departed from him.” 16:20. Bound— eyes out— fetters of brass— grinding at the mill —-a laughingstock to the Philistines— how has the mighty fallen! The Philistines could not take him in an open fight, but they beguiled him. At Gaza he carried away the gate. Now he is as a toy in their hands and the enemy praised their god Dagon. (5) SELF-SURRENDER AND SIGNAL TRIUMPH, “ O Lord God,**‘ strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once/’ 16:28. Samson had time for reflection and repentance. He was shut up with God. A prison time has often been used of God to bring back the prodigal. Samson had done some mighty things, but they had been done by the power of God. What a hard lesson it is to learn— this lesson of giving God the glory! God’s people are called to be a separated people. They are taken out of the world— not of the world— sent into the world— kept from the evil of the world (John 17:16-18). Separation is a sign of discipleship, necessary to fellow ship with God and the exercise of the power of God. The command is “ Love not the world.” “ If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above.” The Philistines were an enemy within. When Samson slew the lion he got strength and sweetness by victory. Worldly affiliations result in defilement (2 Cor. 6:14-18). Samson was no boaster. He did not tell of slaying the lion, though David did. He was a mild-mannered man, submissive to his friends. He was a lonely man, with no associate warriors as had Gideon. He fought alone. He was a praying man. He recognized God as the source of strength. He was a true man in relation to the sin of Israel. He was not an idol- ator. In the lap of Delilah he sank, slowly but surely, into the snare of Satan, but, thank God, there was contrition and confession. His final act in answer to prayer was the mani festation of the return of the Spirit’s power and the de struction of the thousand gathered upon the roof of the house which fell as his strengthened arms grasped the pil lars. SAMSON AS A SUGGESTED TYPE OF CHRIST His birth foretold. His future foretold. His name “ Sunbeam.” (Jesus, “ Sun of righteousness” ). A Nazarite as was the Nazarene. He wrought in the power of the Spirit. Sought a Gentile bride. Was rejected, mistreated and mocked. Accomplished more in his death than in life.
Topics for Study (1) Does the method of a mother’s life mean much to a child? (2) Does God choose His own men? (3) Does God supply the power for service? '(4) When in perplexity, is prayer a solution? ( 5) Does God respond to the slightest request? (6) Is the power withdrawn when a person is wicked? (7) Are backsliders restored through confession and prayer? (8) Does the recording angel keep a record of our lives? (9) When the books are opened will it be found that some are saved as by fire? (10) When the Spirit stirs the church, will the church stir the world? a » (13:14) The mother who would have clean children must kéep herself from everÿthing unclean (cf. 2 Cor. 6:17). How many mothers there are today having fellow ship with unclean things, for example, the dance, the theater, and the card table, who never- COMMENTS theless cannot understand how it is FROM THE that their children grow up to be un- COMMENTARIES clean. The whole secret of successful V. V. Morgan fatherhood and motherhood, and as for that matter, the whole secret of all holy living, is in these words—-“ All that I commanded her let her observe.” (cf. Deut. 12:32; Matt. 28:20; John 2:5; 15:14).— Torrey. (13:24) He was one -of the most remarkable characters of the Old Testament; one of the most striking illustra tions of all history of wasted opportunities. His ruin came largely through the sin that is ruining so many others to day, impurity. No man ever had a grander opportunity than he, but he chose to give himself up to lust and brought contempt upon himself and upon his God.— Torrey. (16:20) Of course Samson’s strength did not lie in his hair, but in God (v. 17), and in the consecration of his life to Him as symbolized by the growth of his hair. He broke his Nazarite vow by cutting it and in that sense cut himself off from God. The loss of spiritual power to the Christian is always accompanied by grinding in the prison- house of sin.—Gray. (16:21) Pity Samson from whom the Lord has de parted. Pity the man above all others from whose heart has departed the glow and fire of God’s love. Pity the church, it matters not how perfect in organization or how prosperous in numbers, if from its shrine the glory, the holy joy, has departed and its work has become "tread mill” labor. O Lord, “ Take not thy Holy Spirit from us.” — Shay. (16:26) Gaza is largely built on hills, which, though comparatively low, have declivities exceédingly steep. The temple was erected over one of these, beyound a doubt, for such was and is the custom in the East; and such a position, if the central columns were takën out, the whole edifice would be precipitated down the hill in ruinous confusion. There is such a steep declivity on the northeast corner of the present city, near the old dilapidated castle.— Thompson. (16:30) “ I am willing to die, if only I can accomplish this victory.” Samson no more committed suicide than does a brave general when, with certain death before him, he rushes into the thickest battle, confident that his fall will save his country from a hated foe.— Steele. (16:31) As we gather up the lessons of this life we learn that one may seem very strong, and yet be very weak ; that successes may speedily be followed by disgrace and shame; that these in turn may be overruled to work out other successes; that the strongest cannot trifle with temptation and sin with impunity; that God is quick to hear and an swer the prayer of the earnest penitent; that the true be liever, though he fall and sin grievously may be uplifted and restored.— Coon.
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