I Too Have the Spirit of God

Day 48:  Judges 14–17; Isaiah 31–36; 1 Corinthians 7–9

The story of Samson has got to be the funniest story in the Bible. If not then it's a close second to Balaam's talking donkey (Num. 22:28-31).  It contains one of the most hilarious lines of scripture it has been my good fortune to memorize. 

“If you had not plowed with my heifer,
   you would not have solved my riddle.”  (Jdg. 14:18b [NIV])

Or the Holman Christian Standard Bible puts it in rhyme.

"If you hadn't plowed with my young cow,
    you wouldn't know my riddle now!"

It refers to his Philistine wife who the men coerced her to get Samson to tell her the secret to his riddle over which they wagered a bet.  If they could not guess his riddle they owed him.  Samson's wife is used by the Philistine enemy like a farmer harnesses a cow to pull his plow. 

The riddle itself is telling of Samson and the silly stories that show just how far Israel had slipped from covenant keeping, or even knowledge of the covenant. 

  Out of the eater came something to eat,
    and out of the strong came something sweet. (Jdg. 14:14)

Samson is a Nazarite.  He is to abstain from wine or anything from the grape, beer, cutting his hair and especially from anything unclean.  A Nazarite is prohibited even to go to the funeral of a close relative.  During the time of his vow he is to  touch no unclean thing like dead bodies or animal carcasses. 

But we see Samson break every rule in the book.  He drinks wine with Gentiles.  He marries a Philistine, prohibited by the law for all Israelites to marry non-Jews.  He sleeps with prostitutes. He fornicates and commits adultery.  He is constantly touching dead bodies, because he kills thousands of Philistines in battle.  He even eats honey from a hive built in the rotting carcass of a lion. And he feeds the honey to his unwitting parents making them unclean as well as he.

And yet the Spirit of God rushes upon him giving him great strength like Superman.  He kills 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey carcass...more unclean transgressions.  But God is credited as the One behind these actions to save Israel from the Philistine oppressors.

In the end Samson reveals the secret to his strength. It is his Nazarite vows to keep his hair uncut.  What a riot!  What an ironic play!  Samson breaks every vow but the outward appearance.  I can think of Christians who do the same.  They wear special clothing to communicate for all to see their devotion to God or their position in the church.  Yet are they so devoted in every manner for life or is it only what others can see?

The Amish couple heard a sermon on humble dress and its importance for the humble people of God.  On the way home in the buggy, the husband said gently to his wife, "Of all the people there today, I'll bet we were the most humbly dressed."

Or how about the woman driving her car erratically, weaving in and out of traffic in the interstate?  She honks her horn and waves impolite hand gestures at those she hurries around.  A policeman observed all this and pulled her over.  After checking her license and registration he asks if the car belonged to her.  She assured him that the car did belong to her. He said he wasn't certain because of the Christian fish decal on the back of the car!

The story of Samson and the other ridiculously imperfect judges for Israel illustrates God's faithfulness to His work through Israel.  He must preserve them even while He chastens them in order to perfect them.  So if a drunken, philandering, filthy, violent man is what He has to work with He will use Him, like a farmer uses a cow to plow. 

Samson's strength was not in his hair, nor in other Nazarite vows.  His strenght was the Spirit of God who propelled Samson's might into battle to subdue the Philistines.  The Spirit of God strengthened Samson one last time when He begged the Lord to help him.  He took more Philistines with him that day than all the other battles.

Isaiah speaks on God's behalf saying that trust in Egypt is folly.

"Egyptians are men, not God;
    their horses are flesh, not spirit." (Isa. 31:3a)

Real power comes from God who is Spirit.  When the creator raises His hand, nations topple and desert lands become fertile.  This all happens by God's will...destruction and blessing.

Paul writes on three different topics in direct response to questions from the congregation in Corinth: marriage and other sexual relationships,  food sacrificed to idols, and the homage and credence due a worker of the gospel. 

He counsels them on marriage commitment and the greater commitment to the Lord.  It's better not to marry so one can serve the Lord undivided.  After all the world is coming to nothing. The new age, the kingdom of heaven, is near to arrive.  It's pointless to invest in a dying era, so Paul believes.

He is careful to say when his teaching is his own thinking and not a teaching Jesus had explicitly said.  But when he does he exerts his authority as one with the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 7:40).  His word is informed by the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).  His advise should be trustworthy.

He counsels love over knowledge.  Love builds up the church.  Knowledge puffs up the individual when they do not love and serve in humility. If one knows they are free to eat anything, they may do so in public and harm the faith of weaker members of the church.  If in my conscience I believe God is not displeased if I drink alcohol, but another person of faith who looks up to me sees me drinking, my freedom may be his stumbling.  Paul teaches concern for the weaker brother.  Paul would never eat another bite of meat if it would save the conscience of someone who felt eating meat was wrong for Christians.  He sacrifices what he knows he has the freedom to enjoy for the sake of the one who is offended.  

Paul could ask the Corinthians for financial support for His ministry, let alone their obedience as their spiritual father. Paul planted the church in Corinth. But he does not ask for money for his desire is to preach the gospel unhindered.  He wishes to owe no one and no one owe him.  He is supported by a variety of persons and congregations, but not because he demands it, though it is his right.  He rather wishes to obey Christ who called him to this ministry and he will become all things to all people in order to save some (1 Cor.9:22).  He serves not in flowery speech, but in a powerful demonstration of the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:4).

To summarize: Do harmless controversial things in private which you know in your heart God does not care about one way or the other.  (e.g. the films you watch or the music you listen to. Do everything with thanksgiving and for God's glory)  Continue to be an encouragement to all.  Don't be arrogant about your freedom in Christ.  I too think I have the Spirit of God!