THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD Devotion #11 of 17

"For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and He is the governor among the nations" (Psalm 22:28); "For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods" (Psalm 95:3); "One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:6); "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Revelation 4:11)

Samson attracted to a Gentile woman

Another incident showing the sovereignty of God concerns Samson, ancient Judge of Israel. On one occasion, he violated the revealed will of God by seeking a wife from a heathen nation. The words of the Spirit are clear concerning this occasion. IN SAMSON, GOD SOUGHT OCCASION AGAINST PHILISTINES (Judges 14:1-4) "And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well. But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that He sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel." The Law was clear about the Israelites making a covenant with heathen people--and marriage is precisely that, a covenant. "Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee . . . " (Ex 34:12-14). The Law was even more specific than this on the subject of marriage. "Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son" (Deut 7:3). One could not ask for clearer Divine direction. Yet, Samson, ignoring the Divine proscription, sought a wife from the Philistines, who were involved in aggression against Israel. We find, however, that more was involved than appears to the casual observer. "But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that He sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. The Lord was working behind the scenes, providing a just reason to deal harshly with the Philistines. Some might find fault with the Lord for so acting, but they are not right to judge God. It is God that judges man, and not vice versa. The purposes of God extend beyond the present moment, and He is not to be judged as though limited to specific times and circumstances. Samson's parents were correct in their assessment of the requirements of the Law. They were rightly concerned that their son was seeking a wife from among the heathen, which knew not God. However, this was not an ordinary situation, but one in which God was allowing for the righteous execution of His will. The external circumstance would not justify such a conclusion, therefore it has been revealed to us. This remarkable incident should teach us not to "judge according to appearance, but to judge righteous judgement," as our Lord enjoined (John 7:24). God was at work in the case before us, as He was when Joseph was sold into slavery and put into prison. He was at work in Samson's case, as He was when our blessed Lord was betrayed into the hands of men, then, through the hands of wicked men, crucified and slain. It was HIS will that was being accomplished in Samson's choice, as it was when Abraham climbed Mount Moriah to sacrifice Isaac at the command of the Lord. A Sovereign God is administrating His Kingdom in the midst of wicked men, and often through otherwise unwise choices. As it is written, "The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies" (Psa 110:2). This does not justify thoughtless decisions on our part. Nor, indeed, does it encourage haphazard manners among the people of God. It does mean we can commit the keeping our of souls to Him, as unto a "faithful Creator" (1 Pet 4:19). The Judge of all the earth WILL do right (Gen 18:25)--even when it appears everything is going wrong!

-- TOMORROW: THE INSPIRED VIEW OF ISRAEL --