Carrying Heavy Burdens

O. T. #543  "Carrying Heavy Burdens"
June 23, 2015
Judges 16
And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.  Judges 16:2

LET IT GLOW

What would it be like to carry a city gate 38 miles, up hill? Do you ever feel like you are doing that when your burdens or problems get so heavy because you are carrying them around all day long, day after day? Why can't I let go of them and let Jesus carry them?

As we look at the first three verses of this chapter, keep in mind that Samson was a judge in Israel for 20 years. Also, we have an advantage point of being able to look back upon the event of Samson's life, whereas, he was living in the middle of them. I wonder if this man got bored at the elevated life he lived, desiring some excitement. Whatever, he still had a personal weakness that reflected the character of the nation itself, continuing to play with fire, visit the enemy. If you play with fire, you'll get burned.
As previously mentioned, Samson's weakness was obviously a love for women. This man who strangled a lion and killed a thousand men single-handedly couldn't conquer his own passion and lust. The Word mentions three particular ones: the girl at Timnath, whom he married; the prostitute at Gaza, and Deliliah.
So we pick up in verse one where this Hercules of a man named Samson goes to Gaza. Now, Gaza is 38 miles down the mountain, deep into Philistine (enemy) territory. How can the Israelite hero wander casually into this major city undetected? Doesn't sound like a smart move to me.

Do we presume that God doesn't care when we go down into sin? That He fluffs it off as "boys will be boys" or "that's the way gals are?" Maybe they will eventually get it?
As a warning, we should not mess with the sin of presumption-He forgives sin anyway. The Lord has His standards for us to live by and we should strive to do so to our best ability. However, I know we aren't perfect, but intentional sin is saying we don't care. God could snap His fingers and take us out of this world into the next. His grace and mercy sustains us.

How many burdens do we needlessly carry on our shoulders?
Caste your cares upon Him for He cares for you.


LET IT GROW

Well, Samson saw this woman, who was a prostitute (a female innkeeper and regular business woman). He stayed with her until the middle of the night, then took hold of the doors of the city gate along with the 2 posts. Then he carried them upon his shoulders to the top of the hill, back home. What a feat-carry the entire gate uphill for 38 miles! But that was Samson. The gate would have been his trophy, a sign of triumph over the powerful Philistines.

Apparently, his presence was found out because the Gazites were waiting quietly for him all night at the city gate, planning to kill Samson the next morning. Keep in mind that they locked the gate at night for protection.

Falwell concludes that Samson was an unwanted guest and his intentions were not the best.

Why didn't Samson just marry one of the Israelite women, like he should have done?
Why didn't he stay put where he was supposed to be?
Why did he make that long walk down to the enemy city?
So many questions; no answers. Hind sight is 20/20.

LET IT GO

Stay put until God moves me.

Don't stray away on my own.

Keep focused on Jesus and His purpose for my life.

Caste my cares upon Jesus.