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Judges 13:24-14:4 – God’s Sinless Use of Sin

Between Samson’s hometown of Zorah and the nearby town of Eshtaol there was a place that would later become known as Mahaneh-dan (meaning, “camp of Dan,” due to events about which we will read in chapter 18). As Samson is in this place, sometime after he grows up, the Spirit of the LORD begins to stir him to do the things which will lead to his conflict with the Philistines. Samson goes to Timnah, a town on the border of the lands of Dan and Judah. At this time, the Philistines occupy Timnah and it is here that Samson sees a young Philistine woman whom he desires. He immediately goes to his father and demands that Manoah get this woman for him. Samson’s parents try to dissuade him. They know the law of the LORD, and do not wish their son to marry a woman who worships false gods as Deuteronomy 7:3-4 clearly forbids.

However, the Scripture says this was from the LORD. How can this be? Is God the Author of sin? By no means! God is sovereign, ruling over all events. Even sin is not outside the limits He sets. Samson desires this girl because, he says, “She is right in my eyes.” His judgment in this case is made sinfully, according to the desire of his eyes and not according to what God has revealed His will to be. Nevertheless, God sinlessly uses Samson’s desire for this young woman to bring about the deliverance of His people by means of Samson. Much as He used the sinful intent of Joseph’s brothers to bring about His good purposes (see Genesis 50:20), He now uses Samson’s ungodly desire for a heathen woman to bring about His good purpose for Israel. We can be confident that, even today, God is using the sinful intent of men and women to bring about His good purposes for those who fear Him. At the same time, we must be careful to make our choices in life based not on what seems good to us, but based on what we know God has told us is good.

Questions

  1. What was wrong with Samson’s choice of a bride?
  2. Is God the author of Samson’s sin?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray for the wisdom to do what God tells us is right.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.