Judges 15:14-17 – The Jawbone
As we saw yesterday, Samson allowed the men of Judah to bind him with two new ropes and deliver him to the Philistines encamped at a nearby hill. It seems the men of Judah leave Samson standing alone and bound with these ropes. The Philistines, thinking him vulnerable as he stands alone, hands and arms bound tightly, shout and rush at him either to capture or to kill him. However, the Spirit of the LORD again rushes upon Samson, empowering him for another great feat of strength. We are told the ropes “became as flax that has caught fire,” meaning either that these two brand new ropes become miraculously as weak as burnt flax, or that Samson becomes so strong that he can break brand new ropes as if they are as weak as burnt flax. Either way, with his hands and arms now free, Samson is able to defend himself. Weaponless, he looks for anything he can use against the Philistines who are running at him. He quickly finds the jawbone of a donkey and uses it to kill one-thousand Philistines – a feat even greater than that of Shamgar (Judges 3:31). From this time on, the hill at which this occurred will be called “Ramath-lehi” meaning “hill of the jawbone”.
Many people today enjoy comic books, film, television programs, etc. about “superheroes” – people who have amazing abilities due to a mutation of their genes or something else that makes them more powerful than an ordinary person. Unlike these fictional superheroes, Samson’s amazing strength does not come from something within himself, but from the Holy Spirit. God, Himself, empowers Samson to do these great things in order to accomplish His plan for Samson’s life. He also gives you the strength you need to accomplish His plan for your life. Though you may not think yourself as strong as Samson, if your faith is in Christ, it is the same Spirit who empowers you to do what He has called you to do (Romans 8:9-11).
Questions
- How did Samson get free from the ropes?
- How was he able to kill 1,000 Philistines with just a donkey’s jawbone?
- Who empowers you to accomplish God’s plan for your life?
Prayer Points
- Ask God for the strength to accomplish what He has called you to do.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.