JUDGES 13:2-25
The story of Shimshon (Samson) starts here, full of promise, but Samson chooses the flesh and not the spirit. He was a Nazarite who broke all the Nazarite vows and, in the end, lost his sight and his physical strength, yet, Adonai still used him to take vengeance upon the Philistines.
We see a God of mercy who showed mercy again unto this wayward judge, returned to him his strength, punished the Philistines, and then took him home to glory. Perhaps he would have lived many more years had he honored his Nazarite vows, and had honored God. When we look at our own lives, are we bent more toward the flesh or toward the Spirit?
I think that there are many "Samsons" today, members of God's family. They have been chosen for a certain role, yet they look at the world and get involved in the things of the world instead of keeping their eyes on God and His WORD. Yes, God still loves them, but according to how they sow, they will also reap.
The enemy captured Samson, using a deceitful woman who gave him a "close shave." He ended up in chains yet brought down the Temple of Dagon killing more enemies of Israel than in his whole life. Carnal believers can end up in spiritual chains by the enemy when they wander away from God's will for their lives. Spiritual chains might be depression, loss of joy, feelings of guilt, anger, etc...Maybe I'm speaking to some of you who are reading this right now. Yet we can return to the LORD. God showed mercy to Samson, and gave him back his strength which brought the "House Down"
The LORD can bring us back to our "first love" if we so desire it.
We don't hear of believers taking a Nazarite vow today. Yet one can choose to serve wholeheartedly the LORD with all that he or she has. Now, if the believer wishes to abstain from wine, grapes, etc..like the Nazarites did in the past, that is an individual decision. Whatever the decision, the believer should be faithful in serving the LORD.
There is a difference between a "Nazarite" and a "Nazarene" A Nazarene is someone from the town of Nazareth. Like Yeshua, who was known as a "Notzri" (Nazarene) even though he was born in "Beit-Lechem" (Bethlehem) he was raised in Nazareth. It is interesting that "Christians" were known as "Notzrim" (those who follow the Nazarene) The word "Nazareth" or "Natz'rat" comes from "Netzer" (Branch) (Isaiah 11:1)
LUKE 13:1-14:35
We do not know when this particular fig tree in this story was planted, but, according to the keeper of the fig tree, it should have started producing fruit three years prior. Yet the keeper of the vineyard told the owner, “Let’s use some fertilizer, then see what happens” All believers in a way are like fruit trees, we must bear fruit, by sharing, teaching God’s word to others, using our spiritual gifts, yet at times, we might need some “fertilizer” perhaps some more individual study in the WORD, a “pep” talk through a counselor or a pastor/rabbi, or just an encouraging word by another brother or sister in Messiah Yeshua.
Remember, the fruit is our “good works” which the tree produces, and the “fertilizer” can be the understanding and wisdom that comes from studying God’s Word.
All believers need time to grow and mature. One cannot expect to start producing fruit immediately, however, some born-again believers DO start producing fruit very soon. They may start passing out gospel tracts, share their testimony, etc. "Producing fruit" is a life-long commitment. At times, we may not be aware of the "fruit" we are producing until we are ushered into the "World To Come" Then, the LORD will reveal to us that "hidden" fruit.
Don't give up, continue the good work, plant the seed and the SON will shine upon the seed.
The story of Shimshon (Samson) starts here, full of promise, but Samson chooses the flesh and not the spirit. He was a Nazarite who broke all the Nazarite vows and, in the end, lost his sight and his physical strength, yet, Adonai still used him to take vengeance upon the Philistines.
We see a God of mercy who showed mercy again unto this wayward judge, returned to him his strength, punished the Philistines, and then took him home to glory. Perhaps he would have lived many more years had he honored his Nazarite vows, and had honored God. When we look at our own lives, are we bent more toward the flesh or toward the Spirit?
I think that there are many "Samsons" today, members of God's family. They have been chosen for a certain role, yet they look at the world and get involved in the things of the world instead of keeping their eyes on God and His WORD. Yes, God still loves them, but according to how they sow, they will also reap.
The enemy captured Samson, using a deceitful woman who gave him a "close shave." He ended up in chains yet brought down the Temple of Dagon killing more enemies of Israel than in his whole life. Carnal believers can end up in spiritual chains by the enemy when they wander away from God's will for their lives. Spiritual chains might be depression, loss of joy, feelings of guilt, anger, etc...Maybe I'm speaking to some of you who are reading this right now. Yet we can return to the LORD. God showed mercy to Samson, and gave him back his strength which brought the "House Down"
The LORD can bring us back to our "first love" if we so desire it.
We don't hear of believers taking a Nazarite vow today. Yet one can choose to serve wholeheartedly the LORD with all that he or she has. Now, if the believer wishes to abstain from wine, grapes, etc..like the Nazarites did in the past, that is an individual decision. Whatever the decision, the believer should be faithful in serving the LORD.
There is a difference between a "Nazarite" and a "Nazarene" A Nazarene is someone from the town of Nazareth. Like Yeshua, who was known as a "Notzri" (Nazarene) even though he was born in "Beit-Lechem" (Bethlehem) he was raised in Nazareth. It is interesting that "Christians" were known as "Notzrim" (those who follow the Nazarene) The word "Nazareth" or "Natz'rat" comes from "Netzer" (Branch) (Isaiah 11:1)
LUKE 13:1-14:35
We do not know when this particular fig tree in this story was planted, but, according to the keeper of the fig tree, it should have started producing fruit three years prior. Yet the keeper of the vineyard told the owner, “Let’s use some fertilizer, then see what happens” All believers in a way are like fruit trees, we must bear fruit, by sharing, teaching God’s word to others, using our spiritual gifts, yet at times, we might need some “fertilizer” perhaps some more individual study in the WORD, a “pep” talk through a counselor or a pastor/rabbi, or just an encouraging word by another brother or sister in Messiah Yeshua.
Remember, the fruit is our “good works” which the tree produces, and the “fertilizer” can be the understanding and wisdom that comes from studying God’s Word.
All believers need time to grow and mature. One cannot expect to start producing fruit immediately, however, some born-again believers DO start producing fruit very soon. They may start passing out gospel tracts, share their testimony, etc. "Producing fruit" is a life-long commitment. At times, we may not be aware of the "fruit" we are producing until we are ushered into the "World To Come" Then, the LORD will reveal to us that "hidden" fruit.
Don't give up, continue the good work, plant the seed and the SON will shine upon the seed.