"The Futility of the Flesh: Samson I”
Judges 13

June 25, 2006
by C.W. Powell

Although I have read of 1Samuel 8, yet this is a sermon about the book of Judges. The Bible interprets itself, and sometimes it takes for years for events to reveal their meaning. In our study of Judges, it might be well for us to pause for a bit and meditate on the meaning of the things we have studied and the things we will be studying. This seems a good time to do this.

The book of judges illustrates with great emphasis the necessity of the coming of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The book shows the weakness of the flesh—nevermore so than in the life of Samson, the most famous of the judges. The books of Hebrews tells us that he was a man of faith. His is also a type of Christ, perhaps, and in some measure the Holy Spirit was with him. But there are lapses of judgment and morals and covenant that cause us to cringe; we want to cry out like children in the movie, “Don’t Samson? No, no, no. Don’t do it.” But he did it any way.

My purpose this morning is to lay down some principles that will help us to understand the last chapters of Judges, beginning with the life of Samson and the events that are recounted at the last of this book. It is a sordid tale. The life of Samson, great as he was, reads like the account of a juvenile delinquent. A man of great strength who began to deliver Israel from the Philistines, a deliverance that was continued through the life of Samuel and completed under the reign of King David.

There is a phrase that is included several times in these chapters, “There was no king in Israel, and every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” [Judges 17:6 and 21:25] There is no question that there was moral and spiritual decay and, we might say, chaos in Israel during these years. Samson acted as an individual. He had no army. We do not find him consulting the priests or the Urim and the Thummin at the Tabernacle. Very often Samson also did that which was right in his own eyes which resulted in tragedy for him. It seems that even Samson had very little understanding of many things that you and I would take for granted. And yet, Samson is a light in a very dark time, as we are going to see in the concluding chapters of this book. Yet God did not abandon Israel, or Samson, and the grace of God shines through the gathering darkness.

Some might say that the phrase, “There was no king in Israel, and every man did that which was right in his own eyes indicates that God’s purpose for Israel was for them to have a king, and this would cure them of the disease.” Nothing could be further from the truth. The line of the kings of Judah and Israel give a much more depressing story, and did not cure Israel from apostasy and misery or bondage to other nations. But I would like to explore this matter a little bit this morning; and I will be commenting on this theme.

This verse is widely quoted as an excuse to increase government, whether of church or state, over the lives of people. It comes something like this, “Do you think that every man should do what is right in his own eyes?” It is usually said by those who want you to do what is right in their eyes. Of course, they think they know what the Bible says, and want everyone to do it according to their understanding. But let us look at these thing. The cure for my doing things according to what is right in my eyes is not to do them according to what is right in your eyes.

I. The first time this phrase appears is in Deuteronomy 12:8:

A. “1 These [are] the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. 2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: 3 And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. 4 Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God.”

“5 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: 6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: 7 And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee. 8 Ye shall not do after all [the things] that we do here this day, every man whatsoever [is] right in his own eyes. 9 For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you. 10 But [when] ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and [when] he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; 11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD: 12 And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that [is] within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. 13 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest:” (Deuteronomy 12:1-13 AV)

B. The king of Israel was Jehovah, and his throne was to be established in the Tabernacle where was the Ten Commandments and the priests who offered sacrifices. They were to inquire of the Lord there. This was the seat of the law and the throne of their king, Jehovah Himself. They were to come with the families and their servants and rejoice before the Lord and rejoice before him. The priests were to teach the law and for there God had placed His Name, His authority and His power. This is what is meant by “putting his name there, his habitation.’

C. Just as the law, because of the weakness of the flesh, provided for divorce and slavery, so there was provision in this chapter for a king if they insisted on having one. His appointment was to be under law, for it is not possible that God would deny Himself by descending from the throne of Israel. Solomon himself, in the dedication of the Temple at Jerusalem is very careful to acknowledge that God is the ruler of Israel.

D. So the true alternative of having a king is not lawlessness, but a decentralized government in terms of submission to God in our churches and our families, for that is the true government instituted by God. The founding fathers of our nation did not deny that governments were ordained of God, but they denied that this government in imposed from above, but instead arose from the churches, the people, the families, stating: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness”

E. Although written by Thomas Jefferson, this document expressed the mature thinking of many hundred of years of conflict between the people, the Roman Church, and totalitarian governments, and is the flower of the thinking of the Reformation, that each man is a prophet, priest, and king under the Lord Jesus Christ, and is responsible for self-government under God. It is therefore each man’s duty to read the Bible for himself, understand what it means, and soberly seek to obey its precepts and its doctrine. Man will not escape idolatry by abandoning his mind and conscience to others; for it will be no defense in the Day of Judgment for me to appeal to family, to friends, or even to churches. Each man must give an account of himself to God. This is the reason that Christ ascended into heaven: to rule His people by His word and spirit.

F. This is in terms of the biblical principle that the true throne of God is in the hearts and minds of His people, where the law is written in the hearts and minds in terms of the New Testament in His blood. God’s people have the glorious liberty of reading and studying with the help of their ministers who teach the Scriptures, to understand for themselves what their duty and obligations are. We are not to be servants of men, but everyone is to rule himself under God. It is sinful not only to seek to exercise dominion over men, it is also sinful to yield such dominion to men, for to do so is to deny the Lord God, as Paul said, “Be“20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called [being] a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use [it] rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, [being] a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, [being] free, is Christ’s servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” (1 Corinthians 7:20-23 AV)

II. Solemn Warnings are given concerning the man who refuses the counsel of God and does what is right in his own eyes apart from God.

A. “The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise.” (Proverbs 12:15 AV)

B. But who is to judge: God will judge. It was appointed to the Elders of Israel to judge in controversies so that would be peace in Israel, but this was not government in the modern sense where rulers think they have the right to intrude into every facet of man’s life, to tell him what to eat, what to drink, what to think, and how to regulate his family. Who is the ultimate judge:

C. “Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” (Proverbs 21:2 AV) The Lord looks at the hearts of men, and you and I will be judged in the last day according to the truth of what is in our hearts, not how we appear before men.

D. “The spirit of man [is] the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” (Proverbs 20:27 AV). Luther said, “My conscience is bound to the Word of God.” This was an affirmation that shook Rome to its foundations. “Well, well, well….” You just want to do what is right in your own eyes” Well, who’s eyes am I to do right by? Eh? Rome answered, “You do what the church tells you.” We are the voice of God. “I can do no other, So help me God.” Luther recognized that his judgment ultimately was from God himself, and He must stand before God. Everyone of us must stand before God. Although it was not perfectly clear in his mind at the time, perhaps, yet Luther understood in principle what was to become the central truth of the Reformation, that each man was a priest before God and must understand for himself the principles of the Scriptures, so that he could govern himself under God.

E. This is the reason that the modern world does not like the biblical concept of hell. It is so personal and biting. Everyone one of us must stand before God to give account. I cannot pass that responsibility to another. I do not live for the approval of my mother or my father or my friend or the president of the United States. What good is the approval of any of these if I do not please God? And what is their disapproval if I do please God.

F. The foundation of all good government is the conscience of people. You cannot put enough policemen on the streets or build enough armies to subdue people if there is no consciousness of God among them. Kings are not the solution when everyman does that which is right in his own eyes, as the history of Israel demonstrates. The kings themselves become the source of the corruption for He will force the people to do what is right in His eyes for some men will become rebels against government, throwing the nation into turmoil and revolution. Some will become worse, sycophants without conscience and without principle—seeking to advance in the courts of power and hardening themselves to every abomination and wickedness. Good men will keep quiet in those days, for they are evil days, as the Scripture says.

III. Samuel warned Israel of the consequences of them choosing a king to rule over them.

A. I Samuel 8

“1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: [they were] judges in Beersheba. 3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.”

“4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. 11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint [them] for himself, for his chariots, and [to be] his horsemen; and [some] shall run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and [will set them] to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters [to be] confectionaries, and [to be] cooks, and [to be] bakers. 14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, [even] the best [of them], and give [them] to his servants. 15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. 16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put [them] to his work. 17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. 18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. 19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. 21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. 22 And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.” (1 Samuel 8:1-22 AV)

B. This was the reason that it was necessary, in my view, for God to renew the covenant in David, for God did not abandon His people because they abandoned Him. Rather, God used the wickedness and stubbornness of Israel to look beyond David and the kings of Israel, to His true government, that from Heaven in the hearts and minds of His people. This goes far beyond the scope of this sermon, but points a direction for your thought.

C. People want the security and peace of carnal government and push it far beyond biblical limits, just as so many people rested under the rule of the gangs of Chicago and thought of Al Capone as a great keeper of the peace and true patriot in his heyday of murder, bribery, and racketeering. For the same reason they turned to Hitler and Stalin; it was simply because they refused God to be their king. They wanted something more tangible, for they had no understanding of spiritual things. One of the great reasons for the resistance of many to the reformation was the fear that there would be chaos if “everyone did that which was right in his own eyes.”

D. It is not true that the increase of the power of government is the result of a decline in morality; in fact, it is the opposite. The increase of government and the reach of government into every area of life results in the abandonment of responsibility which results in a decline in morality; further, besides the abandonment of responsibility, there is an increase in “rights” given to all by an all-powerful government so that those who transgress every one of God’s commandments is given the right and protection to do so.

Application.

1. An educated church membership is essential if men are to rule themselves and be free. This means training in reading, writing, math, science, history, and all that makes up a liberal education. The worst bondage is ignorance and men do stupid things because of ignorance, and they bring other people into bondage because of ignorance.
2. Foremost in the education of the church membership is the knowledge of the Bible and the framework in which it is to be understood: history and grammar.
3. The knowledge of Christ is the chief teaching of the Bible, and those who do not know Him, but only know about Him, will never understand the Bible, nor its principles.
4. When we say a man is to read and study the bible for himself, we do not mean that he is to isolate himself, mentally, spiritually, or socially from other people as if the word of God comes only to him. We are to use the gifts that God has given to the church, chiefly the minister and the elders that God has given you in this local church, for it is in the local church that the chief work of the church is carried out, where new members and children are instructed, where witness is given to the community, and works of charity are performed. But neither is the local church to isolate itself from the larger church, but should be joined to those of like faith for a common witness and to hold itself accountable.
5. Neither are we to isolate ourselves as churches or as a denomination as if the word of God came out only by us. David said, “I [am] a companion of all [them] that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.” (Psalms 119:63 AV) We understand that we need all of the people of God; this is the reason that we are members of NAPARC and exchange fraternal delegates and representatives to other denominations.
6. “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” (Malachi 3:16 AV)
7. We will sharpen the iron of our own minds by speaking to one another and learning from the experiences and ideas of others.
8. “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 19:27 AV) “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge.” (Proverbs 14:7 AV)

Amen and Amen. May God bless you.