Scripture:
Judges 14:8-9 ESV
[8] After some days he returned to take her. And he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey. [9] He scraped it out into his hands and went on, eating as he went. And he came to his father and mother and gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey from the carcass of the lion.
Observation:
Samson was a gifted individual. GOD had given him not only amazing strength but a specific set of rules that were not to be broken. His task was to “start” to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines. On his way to a moment of a lifetime, he decided to turn to the side and see some of his handle work. You see last time he came this way he had ripped a lion in half with his hands. Maybe there was a little amazement that he was able to do so…or possibly pride. Either way what happened once he saw the carcass is the importance of the story some bees had made a home and formed a honeycomb. Hungry from the trip, the temptation was just too much. As he reached in and got some of the sweet honey to refresh himself the compromise began. It’s just a little honey what can it hurt…or was it more than that one of the rules for a Nazarite Vow was not to touch anything dead and clearly the lion was no longer living. As if his own compromise was not good enough he also gave some to his father and mother. Of course, without telling them it came from a lion he had killed weeks before.
Application:
Pride and compromise seem to run hand in hand. First comes the thought well that doesn’t apply to me. Listen if GOD said it surely it applies. Second is well as long as no one knows. Again do you think your hiding from GOD…HE made you you can’t hide from HIM. It seems like the third part of the compromise is getting others to join in. Maybe you don’t tell them at first the whole truth behind the behavior. You may just justify it to them…ex. It’s honey and I know you are hungry we have been walking for hours. Eat some. The thing is one is too many and a thousand is never enough. One compromise will always lead to another if not caught immediately. As we will see as we continue in Samson’s story tomorrow. We have to draw a line in the sand and make a stand. Set your face as to flint so to speak. Oh, we can walk the fence if we want to but I want to remind you the devil owns the fence and when walking it he knows that you may miss your footing. The odds of you falling to to good side are slim. In my opinion, it’s best to get as far away from the fence as you can. It all starts with something small. A little bit of something sweet…the fish doesn’t see the hook because it’s hidden by the worm…something he wants. I will leave you with this James 1:14-15 compromise is the worm sin is the hook.
Prayer:
Father, you know our hearts and our desires. I pray that you keep our eyes on you, and the plan that you have for us. Let us not turn to the side. We do not want to get distracted by something shiny and miss the greatness you have for us help us to remain focused, and always bring our decisions to you in prayer and wise counsel. It’s easy for us to let our pride get in the way and think…oh, I got this one what’s a little honey…GOD’s grace is sufficient for me. Yes, your grace is good but it’s there for a cushion, not a cause. It’s designed in case we do not so that we can. Let us make no provision for our flesh. Your grace is not to be frustrated. I pray that you allow your holy spirit to rest on all who read this SOAP and that they see the truth in its words. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.