Judges 14: How God Operates

Last updated on: November 8, 2012 at 10:13 am by Dillon Burroughs

Judges 14: How God Operates 2012-11-08T10:13:19-05:00 Dillon Burroughs

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

(His parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.) -Judges 14:4

Sometimes we think we have God figured out. We know how he works, when he works, and where he works. Yet Scripture reveals we truly understand only a fragment of how God really operates. As we are told, his ways are higher than our ways.

Judges offers at least one interesting example in the life of Samson. First, he demands that his parents allow him to marry a non-Israelite, which was a no-no according to Jewish law. Second, we are told God was looking for an occasion to confront the Philistines. Third, we are told God’s Spirit came upon Samson and empowered him to kill thirty people. Is this how God works?

To be clear, we should not come away with radical interpretations that suggest we use violence to accomplish God’s will. That’s not the point I’m making. The concern is that God used some strange events to do his will, including actions we would consider inhumane.

Why? Sometimes we simply don’t know what God is up to. In this account, the overall goal was to cause a conflict between Israel and the Philistines to restore God’s people to freedom. So the story wasn’t all bad. God had a plan.

He still has plans, for you personally, your community, and the world. We don’t always understand the things taking place around us, but they are never random or without meaning. Our goal must be to walk closely with God regardless of what takes place around us, trusting in the One who knows all to help when we don’t know what to do.

Let’s talk about it on Facebook! Share your thoughts, pictures, or videos on handwriting Scripture.

+++

Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.

handwrite the entire bible

handwritten bible

Handwritten copies of the Bible

Dillon Burroughs

handwrite the entire bible

handwritten bible

handwritten bibles

handwritten copies of the Bible

holy writ project

Judges 14

Previous Post

November 7, 2012

Judges 13: God's Answer Is Already on the Way

Next Post

November 9, 2012 Judges 15: Highs and Lows

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category handwrite the entire bible handwritten bible Handwritten copies of the Bible transcribe the bible

Select a Month July 2018 April 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

Select your answer to see how you score.

Mary Thomas Peter The father of a sick boy