COMPROMISE
Judges 16:16–31
In the last session, we followed the great victory that God gave Gideon and Israel over their enemies. Every time God gave them the victory, the people of Israel rejoiced for a time. Unfortunately, in short time they turned away from God and chased after foreign, pagan gods.
Eventually, the people again “did evil in the sight of the Lord” and were delivered into the hands of the Philistines for 40 years.
As chapter 13 begins, we read about the miraculous birth of Samson to a barren woman with the promise that she would bear a child whom God would use to deliver Israel from the Philistines.
However, the promise came with this premise: The boy would take a Nazirite vow and should not cut his hair. In the following chapters, we read of Samson’s strength and exploits as God used him to judge the Philistines. In chapter 16, Samson meets Delilah, and his slide into compromise spirals.
Strength Departed (16–20)
For 1,100 pieces of silver, Delilah was coerced by the Philistine elders to learn the secret of Samson’s strength. She begged Samson to share the secret of his strength as proof of his love for her.
Samson didn’t realize the betrayal and journeyed deeper into compromise and told her three lies. When these failed, Delilah continued to complain and pester him until he finally revealed the command to never cut his hair.
His hair wasn’t the key to his strength. Honoring and obeying the command of the Lord was the secret to his strength. This time, while he slept, she cut his hair, and it sapped his strength.
First Corinthians 15:33 states, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” How have you seen this verse lived out?
Samson Defeated (21–25)
Too late, Samson realized that he had been betrayed. He woke up from his nap to find his hair had been cut and his strength was gone.
He didn’t realize that things had changed. He thought he could compromise and things would stay the same. One compromise led to another, and it had now culminated in his capture.
The Philistines bound him, blinded him and put him in prison.
Ultimately, they brought him to the temple of Dagon to taunt him and to celebrate his defeat by their god. They chained him between two pillars. They thought he was finished. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.” Have you seen small compromises end terribly?
Philistines Destroyed (26–31)
In this humiliated state, Samson cried out to God. Samson, who had been a prideful man, had been brought low. The adage “pride goes before a fall” is so true. No longer prideful, Samson was in a position to be used by God again. God answered Samson’s prayer and his strength returned. He put his hands on the two pillars and pushed with all of his strength. The temple collapsed and killed more Philistines than he had killed in the earlier part of his life.
Like David in the Old Testament and the prodigal son in the New Testament, we can see the consequences of continued compromise. We also see that God forgives and can restore.What would you tell a friend about compromises they are making because of the company they keep?
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
By Don Fugate
Senior pastor of Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California
