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Samson started on the right track, accomplishing great things with God's power. But he dabbled with danger, playing games with Delilah that led to his downfall. Finally he repented and God restored his strength - though it cost Samson his vision and life. Let's start at the beginning where God had a dream for Samson. In Judges 13:2 Manoah and his wife were childless. In those days it was a tragedy for a woman not to have children, many people unaware of a physical problem blamed their loss on a judgment from God. An angel of the Lord appeared to her and said that she will conceive a son. God knows our individual needs and specific problems better than we do. Our prayers do not provide information God does not know, look at Matthew 6:8…your Father knows what you need before you ask him. God only had a special command for this baby boy [Judges13:4-6]; he was to be born a Nazarite, and he was to be sanctified [set apart for the Lord use]. This baby would begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines. A Nazarite means separated or dedicated. If you look at Numbers chapter 6, you will have the requirements for those who would live this unusual status: they were to abstain from anything that comes from the grapevine, never shave their hair, and refuse to touch any dead body. By these actions they would be set apart from normal life. Taking the Nazarite vow may be for only a short season in order to carry out a command from the Lord. But this time it was different; Samson was to be a Nazarite from birth until the day he died. For forty years before Samson's birth, the people had suffered great oppression. Many knew of no other way of life other than the oppression from the Philistines, and so the inhabitants of Israel cried out to God to save them. God has a similar dream for you today. Your life is not a random chance of coincidences; the Lord measures each step you take. I love Jeremiah 29:11 where God says "I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". God had the same plans for his Old Testament people who were burdened with slavery and oppression. Samson started his walk with the Lord with good intentions, but eventually his desire to please himself controlled his life. He spent his time at parties, with people who did not know God. (Read Judges 14:10, 17.) Then came a sad day. He spoke to his father who loves God. 'I have seen a woman. Get her for me. I want to marry her' (14:2). He wanted what he saw. The whole story of his life shows his proud attitudes. It controlled him. He thought that nobody could overcome him. So, he used hard questions for fun (Judges 14:12-18). He played with the enemy. (Read Judges 16:4-16.) Then there was something even worse. He had an *awful spiritual pride. He thought: 'I will escape like I did before.' How proud he was. The Bible adds some very sad words. 'But Samson did not know that the *Lord had left him.' That is what 'being worldly' means. Samson became very 'worldly' in his attitudes and behavior. Even though we may stray from the Lord's will, He still remembers us. Samson came from a good home. His parents loved and obeyed God. They wanted to know God's plan for their son's life. Before he was born, they prayed about him. 'Teach us what we should do for the boy that will soon be born' (13:8). 'How shall we train the child?' 'What must the boy do?' What wonderful parents he had. But this did not prevent him from being worldly later. Samson was a very attractive gentleman. His name means 'sunlight'. There are only a few words about his childhood. They are in Judges 13:24. 'Samson grew and the *Lord blessed him.' (This means that God did good things for him.) Then we read: 'The Spirit of the *Lord began to work in Samson' (13:25). There was no doubt that Samson was attractive. He could have been of great use to God. But his nature became a danger to him. He loved to be popular. This ruined him in the end. He did not make the same choice as Moses had done. (Read Hebrews 11:25.) Samson had a good religious background. Its rules should have been of help to him. Samson made some special promises to God. (Read Judges 13:3-5 and Numbers 6:2-8.) He should have remembered them. He was responsible to God. There is a clear warning here. *Religious tradition and training in the church we attend is no good if we do not love and obey God. Samson made promises to God. It was easy not to keep them. This was because he was being worldly. Samson also experienced the Holy Spirit in his life. (Read Judges 14:6, 19 and 15:14.) But he still continued to be worldly. The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament blessed very few people. Samson also knew what it was like to have his prayers answered by the Lord. These prayers should have encouraged him to stay close to God. There was a time of weakness and danger in his life. He cried to God for help. The Lord provided for his immediate need. You can see now why Samson slid away from the Lord's blessings even when he knew the Lord. There are serious dangers for us too. We might think that we would never be like Samson. But the Bible warns us to be careful. We could fail too. (Read 1 Corinthians 10:12.) 'Do not be proud, but be afraid' (Romans 11:20). I would like to talk to you about Samson who failed. He became proud and worldly. He caused so much pain and despair. It affected his family, his nation and himself. It made God very sad too. He did not obey God's Word. The special promises that he made meant that he was a Nazarite, someone who follows God on a journey toward heaven. Samson did not think that this promise was important. He went to parties where there would be alcohol. Most probably, he was drinking it too. He did not follow the rules of a Nazarite. A Nazarite had a set of restrictions they must follow: Samson was often in quarrels and fights. These fights ended in the murder of many people. He told Delilah about the third rule. He must not cut his hair (16:17). Samson disobeyed the most serious of rule breaking: he married a woman who did not fear the Lord. (Read Judges 14:1-3; Exodus 34:16; Deuteronomy 7:3 and Joshua 23:12-13.) This is where being worldly begins. He did not love God's people. Samson insisted that he would marry a woman from the enemy nation. This clearly shows his failure to love God's own people. Their friendship was not important to him. He did not really care about them. If he did, he would not want to hurt them by his marriage. His father appealed to him. He wanted Samson to marry one of his own people. But Samson would not listen (14:3). He did not give honor to God. God had a purpose for Samson. He wanted Samson to rescue his people (13:5). But Samson became a complete failure. He should have brought honor to a holy God. Instead, his evil life brought dishonor for his nation's God. (Note: Dishonor is the opposite of honor.) The enemy declared: 'Our god helped us to defeat Samson our enemy' (16:23). We should have one great ambition in life. It should be to please God. He loves us. He saved us. So, we should want our lives to show everybody how great He is. Then they would want to know him too. Samson finally realized his awful mistake in the end. This only happened when he was a prisoner. He now had no eyes, so all was dark. All day, and every day, he had to work for his enemies. He made flour from grain (16:21). Samson spoiled his life. Now to your question, even though Samson was not good in the eyes of the Lord, the Lord still loved him. When Samson cried out to the Lord to forgive him, God overcame his past by grace. Grace is the goodness and kindness from the Lord to a person who does not deserve it. Samson's hair began to grow again' (16:22). God gave Samson another opportunity. God's grace is so great. He will not refuse to allow Samson to fail because Samson turned from his wicked ways and repented to the Lord. That is so much like you and me, when we fail in our walk with the Lord, we are to repent and ask God for forgiveness. (This means to turn away from evil and towards God. This choice will mean a complete change of life.) Samson was finally overcome with prayer to change his life and to walk uprightly in the Lord. (16:28) 'Most powerful Lord, remember me. God please give me strength one more time.' When we realize our mistake, we should pray immediately. God has promised that He will help us. Even though Samson in life failed, he did not fail in his death. Samson's prayer ended with 'Let me die' (16:30). By his own death, he overcame his enemies. There is something similar for the Christian. It is probably the only way to escape from being worldly. Jesus spoke to anyone who wanted to go with him. He said: 'That person must accept his cross, and he must follow me. Whoever gives his life for me and for the Gospel will save it.' One final note, There are many "Delilah's" out there looking for a secret that will topple you spiritually. Learn from Samson to fight the temptation of spiritual compromise. Otherwise, before you know it, you'll be blinded. God is a restorer and will help you when you fall, but it might cost you something precious. If Samson could have written this letter to you, he would have asked you not to do what he did. God loves a committed Christian. I trust this will shed some insight on Samson. Sue Ramsey Associate Director of Bible Questions I have talked with a number of learned men about this question and honestly until now I had not made up my mind about Samson. suppose through the years I have taken the story of his life and death pretty much for granted. I have even preached a number of sermons with Samson as the text. I am one of those folks that adhere to the doctrine of the possibility of a Christian committing themselves back to the bonds of sin and becoming an apostate. As such I could very easily jump on Samson as a perfect example of an apostate. However as I studied this question and sought after God’s truth I have come to the decision that Samson was saved. Does the former sentence mean I am correct, no, for there are questions we will never answer on this side of heaven and I suppose they will not even be remembered in the presence of our Lord when we make heaven our eternal home. But I will give you the thoughts that have lead me to my decision and if we disagree, we will continue to love each other as children of God and worship together at His feet. A very fine minister that I count as a friend made this statement and this man is truly a man of God, he said Samson did not live a holy life and this is true, and then he said he did not think Samson could have earned heaven by his final act of asking God to give him the strength to destroy the building and kill the Philistines. It is a good thought, but then I thought, no one ever can earn heaven. Let me remind the reader that this man is a fine theologian and my friend, but he is as human as you and I and I do not find fault with him for his statement, I simply disagree, and we both could possibly be wrong in our thoughts concerning some of the things of God. Here is why my thoughts brought me to my conclusion. Samson prayed for God to give him the physical strength one last time and God answered his prayer. Judges 16:28 "And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes." Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Judges 16:22 "Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven." What went on between Samson and God during this time of his captivity? We do not know because the Bible does not tell us. Did he ask God for His forgiveness? We really do not know, but we do know that God answered his prayer and God’s word has told us that He does not answer sinners! Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." These verses have brought me to the conclusion that Samson must have made amends with God though repentance, after he was imprisoned. Another thought that comes to mind, is this. Who among us have not ever had to go back to God in repentance of sin since we first came to Christ for salvation. I know I have and I believe each of you that read this has had to repent of some sin, since being saved. Am I correct, I think I am, but then those that take an opposing view think that they are also. Let us share our thoughts and move on to the business at hand and that is the sharing of the gospel with a lost world of men and let us continue to lift the name of our Lord in praise and worship until that day when we will lose this cage of flesh that has our souls trapped and soar to heights beyond our feeble minds grasp. God Bless James Avery Associate director of Bile questions for Answers2Prayer.org I believe completely that Samson was forgiven of his failures! It is written throw out the scripture that God forgives the failures of individuals. No matter how large or small the mistake might be, there's a God that Cares and Loves US enough to Forgive them. We as human beings find that hard to accept since we have a tendency to not to forgive others. But be assured no matter what people do or don't do God will accept you as you are and will Forgive! Gena In Judges 16:28 Samson prayed to the Lord, "O Sovereign God, please strengthen me just once more and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." That prayer was answered. In Hebrews 11:32 Samson is named among those commended for their faith. According to Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." All who call upon Him in faith are forgiven. Sandra McGarrity Hebrews 11:32 lists Samson among the faith filled people of God, along with Gideon, Barak, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets (not to mention those mentioned earlier in the chapter). I dare not disagree. Andy Pearson Samson is depicted in the Book of Judges as being ruled by passion, which, although the cause of his downfall, nevertheless provided the means with which he struggled for the vindication of God. His death in the temple is presented not as suicidal but, according to the general interpretation of biblical scholars, as a return to the original mission (as "judge" and Nazarite) that he had temporarily abandoned. In Judges 13 it tells of the birth of Samson. In Judges 14 it tells of how Samson married a Philistine woman. In Judges 15 it tells of how Samson smote the Philistines. In Judges 16 it tells of how Samson was betrayed by Delilah and of his death. 28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. 29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. 30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life. 31 Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years. So yes, scripture tells that Samson was forgiven. Deedee Yes, I believe that Samson was forgiven and was allowed to have revenge on the Philistines for the loss of his two eyes when he destroyed the temple and was killed. See Judges 16: 28-30. Ralph Brewer Yes, he was forgiven for his failures. Pam Raletjena I say yes he was. Jdg 16:28-30 "And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life." Samson's prayer was obviously answered. According to the following...had he not been forgiven then God wouldn't have heard his prayer. Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. Lorrie Ransom To sufficiently and accurately answer this question, let us take an historical pilgrimage into Samson's birth. Samson was born as a strategic frontier of God's desire to liberate His people from oppression by annihilating their enemy, the philistines. To accomplish this mission, he was endued with supernal pre-potency which was manifested in his Nazarene hair. His rule of life or engagement was to abstain from wine and keep God's covenant in obedience as a Jew. (Jews were not to associate with gentiles or intermarry). Evidently, the fountain of Samson's Insuperability was his outgrown Nazarene hair. Evidently also, is the reason God asked him to abstain from wine-so that He would not lose his senses from intoxication and disclose the secret of his power. Though he did not drink wine as he was commanded, he broke God's covenant by his unholy alliance with Delilah and thus the secret was cheaply given out. While in captivity however, he became penitent and contrite. His hair began to grow again. His communication with God shows that the roadblock to God, "the sin of disobedience which led to unholy alliance with Delilah and consequently, the disclosure of the secret of his power" was removed. The transmission link to God could only have been established because God has forgiven him his sin. The prayer of a sinner is an abomination unto God. David Says in the Psalms "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayers." Samson was forgiven for his failures that was why his hair grew again. And because he had become right with God, God answered his prayers and empowered him once more so that he destroyed more philistines in one day than he had done all his life. Prince Oshiojum There is no doubt in my mind that blinded Samson grinding at the mill like an ox came to repentance during that time. He certainly had time to reflect on the foolishness of his decisions. That he was forgiven is evident especially when God answers his final prayer and gives him the strength to carry out a feat that, though it caused his own death, destroyed more of Israel's idolatrous enemies in one day than Samson had destroyed in his life time. George Romer Absolutely Samson was forgiven. The Bible tells us: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Isaiah 55:7 Ellen Underwood Receive our free newsletters The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging messages. HTML and plain text versions available. The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ. About Answers2Prayer Bible Studies Healing Prayer Contact Us © Answers2Prayer
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निर्बल शिमशोन निर्बल शिमशोन शिमशोन जत्तिकै बलियो मान्छे अर्को जन्मेको छैन, तरैपनि शिमशोन केही कुरामा निर्बल थिए। यस पाठमा हामी उनको सामर्थ्य र निर्बलता दुवैलाई हेर्नेछौं। शारीरिक बल एउटा कुरा हो, तर नैतिक बल बेग्लै कुरा हो। परमेश्वर, हामीलाई बलियो भएको चाहनुहुन्छ, जसले गर्दा हामी खराबीदेखि अलग रहन र असल कुरामा खडा रहन सक्नेछौं। शिमशोनको जन्मको घोषणा शिमशोनको जन्मको घोषणा एउटी बाँझी स्त्रीलाई (न्यायकर्ता १३:२) “परमप्रभुको ______द्वारा” (न्यायकर्ता १३:३) भएको थियो। परमप्रभुको दूत ___________ नै हुनुहुन्छ (न्यायकर्ता १३:२१-२२)। पुरानो नियमका समयहरूमा प्रभु येशू ख्रीष्ट प्रायः परमप्रभुको दूतको रूपमा मानिसहरूका सामु देखा पर्नुहुन्थ्यो। परमप्रभुको दूतले उक्त बालक, जन्मेको दिनदेखि नै परमेश्वरको निम्ति अलग गरिएको एक __________ हुनेछ भनी बताए (न्यायकर्ता १३:५)। उनी आजीवन एक नाजिरी हुने भए। नाजिरी कसलाई भनिन्छ ? गन्तीको पुस्तकको छैंटौं अध्यायमा बताइएको छ। गन्ती ६:१-८ पढ्नुहोस्। नाजिरी बन्न चाहने व्यक्तिले आफूलाई परमप्रभुको निम्ति अ________ गर्नपर्थ्यो (गन्ती ६:२)। अलग हुने उक्त व्यक्ति परमप्रभुको निम्ति ___________ हुन्थ्यो (गन्ती ६:८)। नाजिरीले आफूलाई परमेश्वरको निम्ति पूर्णरूपमा अलग गरेको हुन्थ्यो र आफूलाई प्रभुमा पूर्णरूपमा समर्पण गरेको हुन्थ्यो। कतिपय व्यक्तिहरू केही दिनका लागि मात्र नाजिरी हुन्थे (गन्ती ६:४), तर शिमशोन भने बाचुन्जेल नाजिरी हुन परमेश्वरद्वारा अलग गरिए। जन्मेको दिनदेखि नै शिमशोन परमेश्वरको निम्ति एक नाजिरी हुनुपर्ने थियो (न्यायकर्ता १३:५)! त्यसरी नै विश्वासीहरू नयाँ जन्म पाएका दिनदेखि नै सदासर्वदाका लागि परमेश्वरको निम्ति अलग गरिन्छन् ! आज बाँचिरहेका विश्वासीहरूको विचार गरौं। आफ्नै विषयमा विचार गर्नुहोस्। के हामी प्रभुको निम्ति अलग हुनुपर्छ (२ कोरिन्थी ६:१७-७:१)? _________। हाम्रो अलगपनता कस्तो अलगपनता हो? हामी केबाट अलग छौं ? हामी के र कोतर्फ अलग छौं? के आज बाँचिरहेका विश्वासीहरू प्रभुको निम्ति पवित्र हुनु आवश्यक छ (१ थेस्सलोनिकी ४:१-८) ? ________। नाजिरीले गर्न नहुने कुराहरू तीनओटा थिए। ती तीन निषेधित कुराहरू के-के थिए? लामो केश शिमशोन उनको लामो केशले चिनिन्छ जुनचाहिँ एउटा नाजिरीको लागि अनिवार्य थियो। लामो केश निर्बलता र अधीनताको चिन्ह थियो। नाजिरीले आफ्नो केश लामो पाल्नुचाहिँ यसो भन्नु बराबर थियो, “म परमेश्वरको अधीनमा र उहाँको अधिकारमुनि छु। म कमजोर छु तर परमेश्वर सामर्थी हुनुहुन्छ भनी म स्वीकार गर्दछु। परमेश्वर नै मेरो अधिकार र मेरो सामर्थ्य हुनुहुन्छ।” आज हाम्रो केशको लमाइ सम्बन्धी परमेश्वरको इच्छा के छ ? १ कोरिन्थी ११:१५ अनुसार, स्त्रीको केश ________ हुनुपर्दछ अनि १ कोरिन्थी ११:१४ अनुसार पुरुषको केश ________ हुनु शर्मको कुरा हो। फेरि पनि हामी याद गरौं, लामो केश निर्बलता र अधीनताको चिन्ह हो। ख्रीष्टियन पत्नीको लामो केशले यो सन्देश दिइरहेको हुन्छ — “म आफ्नो पतिको अधीनमा छु अनि ममाथि उहाँको अधिकार छ भनी म स्वीकार गर्दछु। साथै १ पत्रुस ३;७ अनुसार, यस वैवाहिक सम्बन्धमा मचाहिँ कमजोर पात्र हुँ भनी म स्वीकार गर्दछु।” साथै हामी यो पनि बुझिराखौं, प्रभु येशू ख्रीष्ट एक नासरी (नासरत शहरको बासिन्दा) हुनुन्थ्यो तर उहाँ एक नाजिरी भने हुनुहुन्नथ्यो। चित्रकारका कतिपय तस्वीरहरूमा जस्तोसुकै देखाइए तापनि, उहाँको केश बास्तवमा स्त्रीको जस्तो लामो थिएन। हामी देख्नेछौ, शिमशोनको सामर्थ्य उनको केशमा निहित थिएन। उनको सामर्थ्यको स्रोत परमेश्वरका आत्मा हुनुहुन्थ्यो। उनको केश केवल एउटा चिन्ह थियो, जसले एकातिर निर्बलतालाई देखाउने काम गर्थ्यो भने अर्कोतिर परमेश्वरको सामर्थ्यलाई। उनको सामर्थ्य आफ्नैपट्टिबाटको सामर्थ्य होइन भनेर उनको केशले दिनहुँ सम्झना गराउँथ्यो। उनलाई परमेश्वरले दिनुभएको सामर्थ्यको कारण शिमशोन परमेश्वरको शक्ति प्रदर्शन गर्ने अलौकिक शक्तिको एक साक्षात् रूप थिए। उक्त सामर्थ्यलाई आफ्नै स्वार्थ पूरा गर्न वा दुरुपयोग गर्न शिमशोनलाई परीक्षा आउन सक्थ्यो, त्यसैले त्यो सामर्थ्यको वास्तविक स्रोत परमेश्वर हुनुहुन्छ भनेर उसको लामो केशले उसलाई निरन्तर सम्झना गराउँथ्यो। शिमशोनको काम शिमशोनले आफ्नो जीवनमा गर्नुपर्ने काम के थियो ? जवाफ न्यायकर्ता १३:५ को आखिरी वाक्यमा भेटिन्छ। उसको जीवनमा परमेश्वरको इच्छा यो थियो- “त्यसैले नै _________________________________________ _____________________।” “शुरु गर्नेछ” को तात्पर्य के हो? शिमशोनले शुरु गरेको कामलाई दाऊद र दाऊदपछि आएकाहरूले निरन्तरता दिए। याद गरौं, गोल्यात एक पलिश्ती थिए। शिमशोनको जीवनमा कमजोरीहरू नभएका होइनन् र उनी कति कुरामा विफल नभएका होइनन्, तरैपनि तिनले परमेश्वरबाटको कामलाई पूरा गरे, उनको जीवनमा परमेश्वरको उद्देश्य पूरा भयो। उल्लेखनीय कुरा के छ भने, उनले पलिश्तीहरूको सामना गर्नुपर्दा उनले जहिले पनि एकलै सामना गरे। उनले कहिल्यै कुनै फौज गठन गरेनन्। परमेश्वरले उनलाई एकल-फौजको रूपमा चलाउनुभयो! शुरुदेखि नै परमेश्वरको आशिष् शिमशोनमाथि थियो (न्यायकर्ता १३:२४) र परमेश्वरको आत्माले नै शिमशोनलाई शिमशोन बनाउनुभएको थियो (न्यायकर्ता १३:२५)। तपाईंसँग जस्तोसुकै क्षमता वा योग्यता भए तापनि, तपाईंले आफैलाई १ कोरिन्थी ४:७ मा उल्लेखित प्रश्न सोध्नुपर्छ- “तिमीसँग के छ र, जो तिमीले पाएका होइनौ?” यस प्रश्नको जवाफ के हो? _______________ ________। आफैमा घमण्ड गर्नेहरू चाहिँ यो महत्त्वपूर्ण सत्यतालाई बिर्सनेहरू हुन्! शिमशोनको कमजोरी ठूलो फौजको सामना गर्नुपर्यो भने शिमशोनको लागि त्यो मामुलि कुरा थियो, तर एउटी सुन्दरी स्त्री तिनको अगाडि पर्नेबित्तिकै उनी लल्याकलुलुक भइहाल्थे! न्यायकर्ता १४:१-२ पढ्नुहोस्। शिमशोनको इच्छा किन गलत थियो (व्यवस्था ७:१-४; २ कोरिन्थी ६:१४)? ____________________________________ _________________________। उनको इच्छा गलत छ भनेर के शिमशोनका बाबुआमाले जान्दथे (न्यायकर्ता १४:३)? _______________। शिमशोनले किन उक्त स्त्रीको चाहना गरे (न्यायकर्ता १४:३)? _________ _____________। शारीरिक अभिलाषा नै शिमशोनको कमजोरी थियो। अभिलाषाले भन्छ, “म जे चाहन्छु, त्यो मैले पाउनैपर्छ (परमेश्वरको वचनले जेसुकै भनोस्, परमेश्वरको इच्छा जेसुकै होस्) अनि त्यो कुरा मैले अहिले नै पाउनुपर्छ!” यदि शिमशोन नैतिक रूपमा बलिया भएका भए अनि त्यही पलिश्ती स्त्रीलाई देखेका भए, तिनले कस्तो निर्णय गर्नेथिए होला? किन? उक्त कुरामा ______________को हात छ भनी शिमशोनका बाबुआमालाई थाहा थिएन (न्यायकर्ता १४:४)। मानिसको पाप र अभिलाषाको बाबजुद पनि त्यहाँ परमेश्वर आफ्नो योजना र उद्देश्यलाई अघि बढाउँदै हुनुहुन्थ्यो। जुन परमेश्वरले याकूबको चालबाजीहरूलाई प्रयोग गरी आफ्नो योजना पूरा गराउनुभयो (अधयाय ३ मा हेर्नुहोस्), उही परमेश्वरले आफ्ना योजनाहरू पूरा गराउन शिमशोनका विफलताहरूलाई प्रयोग गर्न सक्नुहुन्छ। शिमशोनद्वारा पलिश्तीहरू पराजित गरिएको परमेश्वर चाहनुहुन्थ्यो अनि ठीक त्यही काम पूरा हुन गयो। सिंह र शिमशोनको अड्को न्यायकर्ता १४:६ अनुसार शिमशोनको सामर्थ्यको रहस्य के थियो ? ________ ___________। सिंहलाई मार्न तिनले कुनचाहिँ हतियार प्रयोग गरे ? ____________________। सिंह र महको कुरालाई लिएर शिमशोनले भोजमा आएका तीसजना पलिश्ती मानिसहरूसित बाजी थाप्ने मौका लिए (न्यायकर्ता १४:१२-१३)। के ती मानिसहरूले उक्त चुनौतीलाई स्वीकार गरे (न्यायकर्ता १४:१३)? _______। अड्को फुकाउन नसकेपछि तिनीहरूले शिमशोनकी पत्नीलाई उसलाई मार्ने धम्की दिँदै त्यो अड्कोको अर्थ पत्ता लगाउन कर लाए (न्यायकर्ता १४:१५ – “नत्रता हामी तिमीलाई र तिम्रा बाको घरलाई __________ लगाइदिनेछौं)। तिनीहरूले हार स्वीकार गरेर तिर्नुपर्ने मूल्य शिमशोनलाई बुझाएको भए हुन्थ्यो। शिमशोनकी पत्नीले चाहिँ षडयन्त्रको सूचना शिमशोनलाई दिएर आफ्नो सुरक्षाको लागि शिमशोनकै भर परेको भए हुन्थ्यो। सामर्थी शिमशोन आफ्ना पति हुँदाहुँदै उसले कसको डर मान्नुपर्थ्यो र ? के उनी आखिरमा जलाइएर नष्ट भइन् (न्यायकर्ता १५:६)? __________ हो, तिनले जिद्दी गरेर शिमशोनलाई अड्कोको माने बताउन लगाएर त्यो उनका शत्रुहरूलाई बताइदिई। कुनै पनि पलिश्तीलाई, विशेष गरी एउटी पलिश्ती स्त्रीलाई विश्वास गर्न सकिन्न भन्ने पाठ शिमशोनले अब त सिक्नुपर्नेथ्यो। तर शिमशोनले पाठ सिकेनन् जसले गर्दा उनी पछि गएर अर्की पलिश्ती स्त्रीद्वारा फन्दामा पर्छन्। ती मानिसहरूले अड्कोको माने बताउन सफल भएका हुनाले शिमशोन रिसाए (न्यायकर्ता १४:१९) अनि तिनले पलिश्तीहरूकै तीस जनालाई मारेर मूल्य चुक्ता गरे। शिमशोनको सामर्थ्यको रहस्य के थियो (न्यायकर्ता १४:१९) ? _________________________________________ अन्य आश्चर्यपूर्ण सफलताहरू उनकी पत्नीलाई अर्कैं पुरुषलाई दिइयो भन्ने कुरा जब शिमशोनले सुने, तब उनले बदलामा पलिश्तीहरूमाथि थप समस्या ल्याए। उनले _________ ओटा स्याल समाते (न्यायकर्ता १५:४), तिनीहरूका पुच्छर-पच्छर बाँधे र बीचमा राँको बाँधिदिए। ती राँका बाँधिएका स्यालहरू पलिश्तीहरूका बारीहरूभित्र दौडेर ठूलो नोक्सानी गरे। यी सबै काममा शिमशोनले परमेश्वरको उद्देश्य पूरा गर्दैथिए। तिनले इस्राएलीहरूलाई पलिश्तीहरूका हातबाट जोगाइराख्ने काम गरे (न्यायकर्ता १३:५)। पलिश्तीहरू शिमशोनको सामना गर्दैमा व्यस्त भए। शिमशोनको कारण उनका आफ्ना यहूदी जातिले समेत दुःख पाए (न्यायकर्ता १५:९-१२)। परमेश्वरले यहूदीहरूलाई पलिश्तीहरूका हातबाट बचाउनका लागि शिमशोनलाई उठाउनुभएको भए तापनि (न्यायकर्ता १३:५), ती यहूदीहरू शिमशोनलाई पलिश्तीहरूकै हातमा सुम्पिदिन चाहे (न्यायकर्ता १५:१२)। तिनीहरूले उनलाई सकेसम्म बलियो गरी बाँधे अनि शत्रुको हातमा सुम्पिदिन तयार भए। याद राख्नुपर्ने कुरा के छ भने शिमशोनले आफ्नो जातिको विरुद्ध कहिल्यै केही गरेनन्। तिनीहरूसित हुँदा उनी एउटा पाठोजस्तै नम्र हुन्थे (न्यायकर्ता १५:१३)। उनलाई बाँधेका डोरीहरूलाई शिमशोनले कसरी चुँडाउन सके (न्यायकर्ता १५:१५)? _________________________________। पलिश्ती फौजको विरुद्धमा शिमशोनले कुनचाहिँ हतियारको प्रयोग गरे (न्यायकर्ता १५:१५)? ____________________________। उक्त हतियारले उनले कतिजना मान्छे मारे? ______________। शिमशोन अचम्मकै एकल-फौज थिए! न्यायकर्ता १५:१८ मा शिमशोनको प्रार्थनाले उनको चरित्रको अलिकति भएपनि झलक दिन्छ। पहिलो कुरा, खाँचोमा परमेश्वरलाई पुकार्नुपर्छ भन्ने बुद्धि थियो शिमशोनसित। दोस्रो कुरा, उनले भर्खरै एउटा ठूलो विजय प्राप्त गरेका थिए; के उनले त्यसको श्रेय आफैले लिए ? __________। उक्त महा-विजयको पछाडिको कारण के थियो (शिमशोन को अनुसार)? ____________। तेस्रो कुरा, उनले आफूलाई परमेश्वरका दा____ भनेर स्वीकार्दछन्। तपाईं नि? व्यक्तिगत खाँचोको समयमा के तपाईं परमेश्वरलाई पुकार्नुहुन्छ ? आफ्नो जीवनका सफलताहरूका लागि के तपाईं परमेश्वरलाई श्रेय दिनुहुन्छ? के तपाईंले आफूलाई सर्वोच्च परमेश्वरको दास वा दासीको रूपमा हेर्नुहुन्छ ? शिमशोन कति वर्षसम्म इस्राएलका न्यायकर्ता र अगुवा भए (न्यायकर्ता १५:२०)? __________।ती वर्षहरूका बारेमा हामीलाई धेरै बताइएको छैन। तर शिमशोनको जीवनको अन्ततिरका घटनाहरूका बारेमा भने हामीलाई बताइएको छ। अर्की स्त्री न्यायकर्ता १६:१ पढ्नुहोस्। शिमशोनले १०,००० पलिश्तीहरूको फौज देखेका भए, उनलाई कुनै समस्या हुनेथिएन। तर जब उनले एउटी स्त्रीलाई देखे, तब उनी पापमा फसिहाले! पलिश्तीहरूका सबैभन्दा सामर्थी र साहसी योद्धाले शिमशोनलाई लडाउन सक्दैनथे, तर एउटी सुन्दरी स्त्रीले चाहिँ सक्थिन्, र सकिन् पनि! शिमशोनको जीवनबाट हामीले यो पाठ सिक्नुपर्छ, अभिलाषाले मान्छेलाई कैद गर्न सक्छ र नष्ट गर्न सक्छ। बाइबलले हामीलाई भन्दछ, व्यभिचारदेखि ________ (१ कोरिन्थी ६:१८)। अर्थात्, हामी अनैतिक र खराब चरित्र भएका व्यक्तिहरू (शिमशोनको सन्दर्भमा एक वेश्या) देखि भाग्नुपर्दछ। खेदको कुरा, शिमशोन भाग्नुको सट्टा त्यस्तै व्यक्तितर्फ दगुर्दै गए। शिमशोनलाई गाजा शहरभित्र फन्दामा पार्यौं भनेर पलिश्तीहरूले सोचेका थिए, तर शिमशोनले शहरको सिङ्गो मूल ढोका नै उखेलेर त्यसलाई बोकेरै लगे (न्यायकर्ता १६:२-३)! फेरि अर्की स्त्री शिमशोन अर्की पलिश्ती स्त्रीसित प्रेममा फसे जसको नाम थियो _________ (न्यायकर्ता १६:४)। शिमशोन शरीरमा बलवान् थिए जसलाई युद्धमा कसैले जित्न सक्दैनथे तर दलीलाको हातमा उनी कमजोर निरीह बने। सबभन्दा बलियो पुरुषलाई पछार्न सक्ने शिमशोन सबभन्दा दुर्बल स्त्रीद्वारा पछारिए। शिमशोनले दलीलालाई प्रेम गर्थे तर के दालीलाले उनलाई प्रेम गर्थी? एकपटक त्यसले शिमशोनलाई भनी, “तपाईं मलाई प्रेम गर्नुहुन्छ भनी कसरी भन्नुहुन्छ, जब कि तपाईं मलाई आफ्नो कुरा बताउनुहुन्न (न्यायकर्ता १६:१५)?” यसलाई अर्कोतिरबाट विचार गरौं। के दलीलाले शिमशोनलाई साँच्ची नै प्रेम गर्थी र (न्यायकर्ता १६:५-६)? __________। साँचो प्रेम गर्ने एउटी स्त्रीले आफ्नो पतिलाई उनलाई मार्न चाहनेहरूको हातमा सुम्पिदिन चाहनेछ र ? _________। दालीलाजस्तो मित्र हुनेलाई शत्रुको केको खाँचो? पलिश्तीहरूका त्यहाँ _____जना मुखियाहरू थिए अनि दलीलाले शिमशोनको सामर्थ्यको रहस्य पत्ता लगाई भने प्रत्येक मुखियाले त्यसलाई चाँदीका ____________ सिक्का दिने समझदारी थियो (न्यायकर्ता १६:५)। दलीला शिमशोनलाई भन्दा पैसालाई प्रेम गर्थी! यदि कुनै विश्वासीले अख्रीष्टियनलाई विवाह गर्ने विचार गर्दैछ भने उसले यो प्रश्न सोध्नुपर्छ: के यस व्यक्तिको हृदय प्रभुतिर साँच्चै छ त? उसको हृदय परमेश्वरतिर छैन भने त्यो मतिर कसरी हुन सक्ला र ? मैले प्रेम गर्ने परमेश्वरलाई उसले प्रेम गर्दैन भने अनि मैले विश्वास गर्ने बाइबलमाथि उसले विश्वास गर्दैन भने, त्यहाँ निःसन्देह भयङ्कर समस्याहरू आउनेछन्! गलत व्यक्तिलाई जीवन साथी बनाउनाले मेरो जीवन बरबाद हुन सक्छ। न्यायकर्ता १६:६-१४ पढ्नुहोस्। उनको सामर्थ्यको रहस्य बताउन कर गरेर शिमशोनलाई पक्राउन दलीलाले कतिपल्ट प्रयास गरी ? ______। शिमशोनले कतिपल्ट झूट बोलेर टारे ? __________। अब त शिमशोनले त्यस स्त्रीलाई शङ्काको दृष्टिकोणले हेर्नुपर्ने थियो जस्तो लाग्दैन र हामीलाई? दलीला विश्वास गर्न लायककी स्त्री होइन भन्ने निष्कर्षमा शिमशोन पुग्नुपर्ने होइन र ? तर दलीला एकदम जिद्दी गर्ने स्त्री थिई र एउटी स्त्रीले लाउन सक्ने सबै जुक्ति लाएर त्यसले शिमशोनलाई आखिरमा आफ्नो रहस्य बताउन राजी बनाइछाडी (न्यायकर्ता १६:१५-१७)। शिमशोनको सामर्थ्य उसबाट किन हटेर गयो (न्यायकर्ता १६:१९) ? के उनको केश काटिएर हो ? पद १० को आखिरी भागमा यसको खास कारण पाउँछौं _____________________________________। शिमशोनको केशचाहिँ प्रभु उनको सामर्थ्य हुनुहुन्छ भन्ने कुराले चिन्ह मात्र थियो। आफ्नो अभिलाषाको कारण शिमशोनले नोक्सानी भोग्नुपर्यो। एउटी चतुर र खराब स्त्रीसित थोरै समयका लागि पापको मजामा डुब्न शिमशोनले आफैंलाई बेचे र परमेश्वरको आशिषलाई बेचे। पापको परिणाम तीतो हुन्छ भनेर शिमशोनले सिके। पलिश्तीहरूले आफ्ना कमजोर कैदीलाई के-के गरे (न्यायकर्ता १६:२१)? १) ____________ ____________ २) ___________________________। शिमशोनले पहिले पलिश्तीहरूलाई जे-जति गरेका थिए, त्यसको बदलामा तिनीहरूले उनलाई सकेसम्म कष्ट दिए! तरैपनि आखिरमा, शिमशोन विजयी बने जुनबेला परमेश्वरले उसलाई सबैभन्दा ठूलो विजय प्रदान गर्नुभयो (न्यायकर्ता १६:२३-३१)! यद्यपि उनी नैतिक हिसाबमा कमजोर थिए, शिमशोनको नाउँ विश्वासका वीरहरूको सूचीमा उल्लेख भएको छ (हिब्रू अध्याय ११ पद _________)।