Judges 13:1-14:20

Big Idea

The story of Samson is a continuation of the cycle of sin and judgment in the book of Judges, where the people of Israel do evil in the sight of the LORD and are given into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.

Commentary

The angel of the LORD appears to Manoah's wife, telling her she will conceive and bear a son, a Nazirite to God from the womb.

The angel gives specific instructions to the woman, including not to drink wine or strong drink, and to eat nothing unclean.

Manoah prays for the angel to return and teach them what to do with the child.

The angel returns and repeats the instructions to the woman, and Manoah asks about the child's manner of life and mission.

Manoah offers a burnt offering and grain offering to the LORD, and the angel ascends in the flame.

Manoah and his wife realize they have seen God and will surely die.

The woman bears a son named Samson, and the LORD blesses him.

Samson grows up and the Spirit of the LORD begins to stir him in Mahaneh-dan.

Samson goes down to Timnah and sees one of the daughters of the Philistines, and his parents are hesitant to let him marry her.

Samson's father and mother do not know that he is seeking an opportunity against the Philistines.

Samson goes down to Timnah with his parents and sees the woman again, and the Spirit of the LORD rushes upon him, and he kills a lion.

Samson returns to take the woman as his wife, and he turns aside to see the carcass of the lion, which has become a swarm of bees and honey.

Claims

• The angel of the LORD is a mysterious figure who does not reveal his name.

• Samson is a Nazirite, a person set apart for God from the womb.

• The Spirit of the LORD begins to stir Samson in Mahaneh-dan, and he becomes a powerful and strong man.

• The Philistines rule over Israel at this time, and Samson is seeking an opportunity to strike against them.

Popular Mistakes

Misunderstanding

<The angel of the LORD is a separate entity from God.>

Correction

<The angel of the LORD is a manifestation of God's presence.>

Misunderstanding

<Samson's actions are motivated by a desire to please his parents.>

Correction

<Samson's actions are motivated by a desire to serve God and strike against the Philistines.>

Application Questions

1. What does it mean to be a Nazirite, and how does this relate to Samson's life?
2. How does the Spirit of the LORD work in Samson's life, and what are the implications of this for our understanding of the Holy Spirit?
3. What can we learn from Samson's experiences about the importance of obedience to God's commands?

John 1:29-51

Big Idea

Jesus is revealed as the Lamb of God, the Son of God, and the Messiah, and he begins to gather his disciples.

Commentary

The passage begins with John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus, emphasizing his role as the Lamb of God and the Son of God.

Jesus is described as being present before John, and John's witness is that Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

The two disciples who follow Jesus are Andrew and an unnamed disciple, who later becomes Simon Peter.

Jesus invites them to "Come and see" and they spend the day with him.

Andrew finds his brother Simon and tells him about Jesus, and Simon becomes Peter.

Jesus finds Philip and tells him to follow him, and Philip finds Nathanael and tells him about Jesus.

Nathanael is initially skeptical about Jesus, but is convinced of his identity as the Son of God when Jesus reveals that he saw Nathanael under the fig tree.

Jesus promises Nathanael that he will see greater things than this, and he describes the heavenly scene of angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

Claims

• Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

• Jesus is the Son of God.

• Jesus is the Messiah (Christ) who was prophesied in the Law and the prophets.

• Jesus has the power to baptize with the Holy Spirit.

• Jesus has divine knowledge and can see into the hearts of men.

Popular Mistakes

Misunderstanding

Jesus is the only one who can baptize with the Holy Spirit

Correction

Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, but it is the Holy Spirit that does the baptizing.

Misunderstanding

Jesus is the only one who can see into the hearts of men

Correction

Jesus has divine knowledge and can see into the hearts of men, but it is not a unique ability that only he possesses.

Application Questions

1. What does it mean to be the Lamb of God, and how does this relate to Jesus' role as the Son of God?
2. How does Jesus' ability to baptize with the Holy Spirit relate to his role as the Messiah?
3. What does it mean to have divine knowledge, and how does this relate to Jesus' ability to see into the hearts of men?
4. How does Jesus' promise to Nathanael that he will see greater things than this relate to the idea of spiritual growth and development?
5. What does the image of angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man represent, and how does this relate to Jesus' role as the Messiah?
6. How does Jesus' emphasis on the importance of following him relate to his role as the Son of God and the Messiah?

Psalm 102:1-28

Big Idea

The psalm is a prayer of an afflicted individual who pours out their complaint before the LORD, seeking relief from their distress and mortality.

Commentary

The psalmist's distress is described in vivid terms, with their days passing away like smoke and their bones burning like a furnace.

The LORD's indignation and anger are the cause of the psalmist's suffering.

The psalmist contrasts their own mortality with the LORD's enduring years.

The LORD is described as enthroned forever and remembered throughout all generations.

The psalmist asks the LORD to hear their prayer and answer them speedily.

The psalmist describes their physical and emotional state, including their loss of appetite and their feeling of being like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.

The psalmist's enemies taunt them and use their name for a curse.

The psalmist eats ashes like bread and mingles tears with their drink.

The psalmist's days are like an evening shadow, and they wither away like grass.

The psalmist asks the LORD not to take them away in their days.

The LORD's creation will perish, but He will remain.

The children of the LORD's servants will dwell secure.

Claims

• The LORD is enthroned forever and remembered throughout all generations.

• The LORD's servants have pity on Zion and its stones.

• The LORD builds up Zion and regards the prayer of the destitute.

• The LORD's years endure throughout all generations.

• The creation will perish, but the LORD will remain.

• The children of the LORD's servants will be established before Him.

Popular Mistakes

Misunderstanding

<The psalmist is asking the LORD to abandon them>

Correction

<The psalmist is actually asking the LORD not to take them away in their days, indicating a desire for continued life and presence with the LORD.>

Misunderstanding

<The psalmist's enemies are the cause of their suffering>

Correction

<The psalmist's enemies are a symptom of the LORD's indignation and anger, which is the underlying cause of their suffering.>

Application Questions

1. How can we, like the psalmist, pour out our complaints before the LORD and seek relief from our distress?
2. How can we, like the psalmist, contrast our own mortality with the LORD's enduring years and find comfort in His presence?
3. How can we, like the LORD's servants, have pity on Zion and its stones, and regard the prayer of the destitute?
4. What does it mean to be established before the LORD, and how can we, like the psalmist, desire to be in this position?
5. How can we, like the psalmist, ask the LORD not to take us away in our days, and instead desire to continue in His presence?
6. What does it mean to say that the creation will perish, but the LORD will remain, and how can we, like the psalmist, find comfort in this truth?

Proverbs 14:15-16

Big Idea

The passage contrasts the characteristics of the simple, prudent, wise, and fool.

Commentary

The passage uses a series of contrasts to describe the characteristics of the simple, prudent, wise, and fool.

The simple and fool are described as careless and reckless.

The prudent and wise are described as cautious and thoughtful.

The passage emphasizes the importance of thinking before acting.

The simple believes everything without giving thought to their actions.

The prudent gives thought to their actions and is cautious.

Wisdom is cautious and turns away from evil.

A fool is reckless and careless.

The passage uses contrasts to highlight the differences between the simple, prudent, wise, and fool.

The simple and fool are contrasted with the prudent and wise.

The passage concludes by emphasizing the importance of being cautious and thoughtful.

Claims

• The simple believes everything without thinking.

• The prudent gives thought to their actions.

• Wisdom is cautious and turns away from evil.

• A fool is reckless and careless.

• The simple and fool are careless and reckless.

• The prudent and wise are cautious and thoughtful.

Popular Mistakes

Misunderstanding

The simple is always foolish

Correction

The simple can be foolish, but also prudent (Proverbs 14:15).

Misunderstanding

The fool is always reckless and careless

Correction

A fool is reckless and careless, but the simple can also be reckless and careless (Proverbs 14:15).

Application Questions

1. How can you apply the characteristics of the prudent and wise to your own life?
2. What are some ways to be more cautious and thoughtful in your actions?
3. How can you avoid being reckless and careless like the fool?
4. What are some consequences of being careless and reckless?
5. How can you balance being cautious and thoughtful with being spontaneous and adventurous?
6. What are some ways to cultivate wisdom and caution in your life?