IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Samson's Martyrdom

Date: Jan. 2, 2018

Passage

Judges 16:23-31  (ESV)

23 Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to rejoice, and they said, “Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.” 24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god. For they said, “Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.” 25 And when their hearts were merry, they said, “Call Samson, that he may entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he entertained them. They made him stand between the pillars. 26 And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained.

28 Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. 30 And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. 31 Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 16:28

Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.”

1. The Philistines gloating (23-27)

After capturing Samson, the Philistines' highest officials and 3,000 others celebrated and praised their god for giving them victory over their nemesis. Blind Samson performed before them like a chained beast while they taunted him. Their spirits ran high as they relished every moment of his humiliation. Because of our sins and failures, Satan also mocks us.

2. Samson's revenge (28-31)

Though his enemies seemed to control his destiny, Samson prayed to the Sovereign Lord to remember him and strengthen him once more. By faith, he positioned himself between the two main pillars, grabbed them with his bare hands, and brought down the temple by divine power. God did not despise Samson's prayer -- even for revenge. God used Samson to kill more Philistines in his death than in life. We learn from Samson's faith to depend on God in prayer, even unto death. He is a hero of faith who believed God exists and God rewards those who earnestly seek him (He 11:6).

Prayer: Lord, help me to pray when I am angry and humiliated and to rely on your strength and mercy.

One Word: Faith that prays and seeks God

Daily Bread

Rebekah’s Decision of Faith

Genesis 24:50-67

Key Verse: 24:58

And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”

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