Judges 14:1-4
‘Then Samson went down to Timnah, and he saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines. So he came back and told his father and mother, “I saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines; so now, get her for me as a wife.” But his father and his mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” Yet Samson saidto his father, “Get her for me, because she is right for me.” However, his father and mother did not know that this was of the LORD, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. And at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.’
Such an interesting passage. I would normally agree with the parents. He should marry well. This isn’t a conventional story. The message I would take away from this is we can’t put God in a box. That being said, He won’t contradict Himself. I wouldn’t use this as a proof text to marry an unbeliever. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?”
The Israelites were held captive by the philistines. In previous examples leaders would beat them in battles, thus be freed. These battles would decimate the enemy population. Samson would produce that same result by his personal battles against them. He would put to death many of the enemy.
What this story also tells us is that God works through the desires of His children. Samson wanted to marry this philistine. Today’s passage says that this was of the Lord. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” This means a couple of things. As we delight ourselves in God He puts His desires in us. It also means He will fulfill them.
It doesn’t mean everything we want is of God. We can ask Him. He will choose to fulfill them or give us the patience to live without them. It could also be a wait.
God can work through His children in unconventional ways. At times we would rarely expect it. Jonathon, Saul’s son, lived a great example. He said to his armor bearer, God can save by many or by few. He presented a small test. It passed. So he and his armor bearer sought to war against the philistines. They won. God put that idea in his head. He moved on it and a great battle was won.
Test our desires. God may be in on them. Who knows, He may do a mighty thing. Thank You, Lord, for Your great power and Your wonders. You can save by many or few. Step out and try it.