SIMPLE OBJECTS: JAWBONE
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) God often uses simple, ordinary objects to accomplish his tasks in the world. It is important only that they be dedicated to him for his use. What do you have that God can use? Anything and everything is a possible "instrument" for him.
1. Object: Jawbone
(Text: Judges 15:11-20)
i) 11 Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? What is this you have done to us?” And he said to them, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.” 12 But they said to him, “We have come down to arrest you, that we may deliver you into the hand of the Philistines.” Then Samson said to them, “Swear to me that you will not kill me yourselves.” 13 So they spoke to him, saying, “No, but we will tie you securely and deliver you into their hand; but we will surely not kill you.” And they bound him with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock. 14 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. 15 He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it. 16 Then Samson said: “With the jawbone of a donkey, Heaps upon heaps, With the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men!”
2. Who used it?
a) Samson.
3. How was it used?
a) To kill 1,000 Philistines.
4. What is the text all about?
a) The Lord's strength came upon Samson, but he was proud and boastful only of his own strength. "With the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men," he said, and later asked God to refresh him because of his accomplishments. Pride can cause us to take credit for work we've done only because of God's strength.
b) Samson was physically and emotionally exhausted. After a great personal victory, his attitude declined quickly into self-pity - "Shall I die of thirst?" Emotionally, we are most vulnerable after a great effort or when faced with real physical needs. Severe depression often follows great acheivements, don't be surprised if you feel drained after a personal victory.
c) During these times of vulnerability, avoid the temptation to think that God owes you for your efforts. It was his strength that gave you victory. Concentrate on keeping your attitudes, actions, and words focussed on God instead of yourself.
d) Apparently Samson was appointed Israel's judge after this victory over the Philistines.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) God often uses simple, ordinary objects to accomplish his tasks in the world. It is important only that they be dedicated to him for his use. What do you have that God can use? Anything and everything is a possible "instrument" for him.
1. Object: Jawbone
(Text: Judges 15:11-20)
i) 11 Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? What is this you have done to us?” And he said to them, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.” 12 But they said to him, “We have come down to arrest you, that we may deliver you into the hand of the Philistines.” Then Samson said to them, “Swear to me that you will not kill me yourselves.” 13 So they spoke to him, saying, “No, but we will tie you securely and deliver you into their hand; but we will surely not kill you.” And they bound him with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock. 14 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. 15 He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it. 16 Then Samson said: “With the jawbone of a donkey, Heaps upon heaps, With the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men!”
17 And so it was, when he had finished speaking, that he threw the jawbone from his hand, and called that place Ramath Lehi. 18 Then he became very thirsty; so he cried out to the Lord and said, “You have given this great deliverance by the hand of Your servant; and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?” 19 So God split the hollow place that is in Lehi, and water came out, and he drank; and his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore he called its name En Hakkore, which is in Lehi to this day. 20 And he judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines. (Judges 15:11-20 NKJV)
2. Who used it?
a) Samson.
3. How was it used?
a) To kill 1,000 Philistines.
4. What is the text all about?
a) The Lord's strength came upon Samson, but he was proud and boastful only of his own strength. "With the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men," he said, and later asked God to refresh him because of his accomplishments. Pride can cause us to take credit for work we've done only because of God's strength.
b) Samson was physically and emotionally exhausted. After a great personal victory, his attitude declined quickly into self-pity - "Shall I die of thirst?" Emotionally, we are most vulnerable after a great effort or when faced with real physical needs. Severe depression often follows great acheivements, don't be surprised if you feel drained after a personal victory.
c) During these times of vulnerability, avoid the temptation to think that God owes you for your efforts. It was his strength that gave you victory. Concentrate on keeping your attitudes, actions, and words focussed on God instead of yourself.
d) Apparently Samson was appointed Israel's judge after this victory over the Philistines.
The End ...
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