Scripture Read: Judges 13 - 14
Title: Samson's Early Days H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse: "And Manoah said, 'Now when your words come true, what is to be the child's manner of life, and what is mission?'" Judges 13:12 (E) Explain: Samson is an appointed judge of Israel after the nation had, once again, done evil in the sight of the LORD. The story or Samson begins with his birth account. When you read this account you will see many similarities between the birth announcement of Jesus and the birth announcement of Samson. Both were men who were commissioned to set the Israelites free from captivity. Both of their stories end with death that brings salvation. Samson's death brings a temporal salvation to the nation, but Jesus' brings salvation to the world. The middle of both of their lives are VERY different. We will look more closely at Samson's successes and downfall in the next HEAR journal entry. But in this account an angel of the LORD comes and announces the birth of this boy who will save the nation of Israel from the hand of the Philistines. Both his parents had faith that this would come true. His mother says, "WHEN your words come true..." Not "if", but "when". Early on in this account we see that Samson is kind of a self-centered character. He was boastful and he was sort of a brat. He begged his parents to get him a wife from the Philistines and they did, but we find that the Spirit of the LORD was with him and upon him. God used Samson, as we will see tomorrow, even though he was proud, self-centered and disobedient but all didn't end well. Eventually his sin catches up to him. (A) Application: There are many parallels with the life of Samson and the life of Jesus. However, the things we must remember in this parallel is that one man died as a result of his sins and the other died to save from sin. One man lived a self-centered life and the other lived a selfless life. One lived a sin-filled life and the other lived a sinless life. Both died and brought salvation to the people of Israel. But only one, Jesus, rose again from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father to bring complete redemption to all who believe and full freedom from the shackles of sin. Samson may have been a precursor to the exciting reality of salvation, but only Jesus brings true freedom, redemption and salvation. that leads others to the Kingdom of God. (R) Respond: Lord, protect me from being prideful. I pray that you would keep me from falling prey to my impulsive desires of the flesh. Keep your Spirit upon me, so that I may bring glory to you name through Christ in me.
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Scripture Read: Judges 6- 7
Title: Gideon H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse: "And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, 'The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.' And Gideon said to him, 'Please sir if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all the wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and given us into the hand of the Midianites.'" Judges 6:12, 13 (E) Explain: The story of Gideon begins in Judges 6 and we see again the nation of Israel did what was evil in the sight of God, so He gave them over to the hand of the Midianites to oppress them. The Midianites and Amalekites were kind of like school yard bullies to Israel. The Israelites were afraid of them so they would build their homes in the mountains and grow crops but when harvest time came the Midianites and Amalekites would come and take their lunch money so to speak by overpowering them and taking all their crops. The people of God cried out to the Lord for help and the Lord sends a prophet to tell them it is because of their unfaithfulness to him is why all this is happening. The response to their oppression was pretty typical. Many people are like this today; they spend their lives ignoring God and his ways and doing what is evil in his sight, but then when something bad happens they cry out to God for help. However in his response we see God’s patience and mercy because he continually sends aid throughout Judges, the Bible and even today. He is faithful to hear us when we cry out to him even when we have not been faithful to him. (A) Application: There are many application point in the account of Gideon’s life. They are simple, memorable and encouraging for us today.
(R) Respond: Lord, may we learn from Gideon that you are a God who makes the impossible possible. Nothing is too difficult for you. May I be an open and willing vessel who is always available to be used bu you? |
Jeff has been in full-time ministry for thirty years. He currently serves as Executive Director at Anchor House Ministry at SeaPort Manatee in Palmetto, FL and he is a part-time Campus Pastor at West Bradenton Southside in Bradenton, Florida.
Jeff Has authored A Lent Devotional (A Spiritual Journey to Lent) an Advent Devotional (The Advent of Jesus) and a devotional on the book of James (James: Where Faith and Life Meet). All three are available on Amazon. He is married to Carrie and they have four children, Micaiah, Gabe, Simon, and Berea. Preview or purchase Jeff's Books
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