Rebellion: A Study in JudgesSample

What does it say?

The Philistines sought revenge after Samson burned their crops. In return, Samson killed a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey.

What does it mean?

Samson’s actions can seem retaliatory and reckless, but he was God’s agent to confront the Philistines. Samson didn’t fear them the way his countrymen did. He allowed himself to be handed over to the Philistines and single handedly killed one thousand of them in battle. A thousand men may sound like poetic exaggeration, but don’t forget who accomplished the feat. Verse 14 says that the Spirit of the Lord "rushed upon him" enabling him to put a significant dent in the Philistine army. Again and again in Judges, the Spirit of the Lord caused people to do things beyond normal human capacity.

How should I respond?

Believers often feel pressure to be a super-Christian – handling home, work, and church life with spiritual perfection. But remember, God’s grace is our resource – He is patient with us and will work in us as we follow Him. As a believer, it is the Holy Spirit who works in you, enabling you to accomplish marvelous things as you submit to Him. If you find yourself feeling pressure to take on too much, ask God to guide, equip, and give you the courage to obey.