REMOVING THE GIANT’S EYES
Judges 16:1-21
Even though the Philistines can boast of many giants, however Samson was more than a match for any of them. Samson was more than any giant.
The power and anointing of God upon his life turned him into almost a superhuman person. Single-handedly he fought and killed a thousand Philistines (Judges 15:15), he uprooted the massive gate o f Gaza and carried it away on his shoulders to dump it upon the top of a hill (Judges 16:1-3).
The Philistines were Samson’s avowed enemies and they were intent on destroying Samson. They didn’t mind how long it will take them or how much it will cost them financially or how many lives will be lost in the process. They were determined to see the end of Samson and put a final stop to his decimating inroads into their national life and economy.
The Philistines eventually prevailed over Samson and they removed his eyes. There is a process that led up to this. There are principles that we can glean from how the Philistines achieved their goal or objective. Sometimes we can learn from the strategy of the enemy and use the same to defeat him. We can use Goliath’s sword to cut off his own head (1 Samuel 17:51).
STRATEGY AND PERSISTENCE
Judges 14:1-4; 16:1-22; 1 Samuel 17:51; Luke 14:28-33; 18:1-8; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Matthew 15:21-28.
The Philistines didn’t go about destroying Samson in a kind of hit and miss fashion. There was an organized plot, a distinctive strategy that they employed. Among the many strands of the strategy are:
(1)They tried to trap Samson through a strange and ungodly marriage
Samson had a special liking for Philistine ladies and the Philistines obliged to allow Samson to marry their daughter though they knew that Samson was their enemy number one. The first marriage didn’t work out but the second served as a perfect mouse trap (Judges 14:1-4; 16:4-22).
(2)They tried to weaken Samson through immorality
They allowed Samson to roam their brothel with the aim of weakening him and capturing him (Judges 16:1-3). This strategy later worked (Judges 16:19).
(3)They were persistent in their pursuit
Even though they tried many strategies that failed, they didn’t give up on their goal. They tried physical combat but lost (Judges 15:14-18). They tried trapping him within their territory in Gaza but failed (Judges 16:1-3). Several other strategies failed (Judges 16:9,12,14). However the Philistines were ready to try any new strategy that comes across their way (Judges 16:1-20). They did not allow yesterday’s failure to anchor them to the shore of defeat. They kept on keeping on and pursuing their interest.
With what persistence do we go after the enemy? Are we easily discouraged after one or two attempts. Not the Philistines. Even loss of several lives did not debar them from launching a new offensive.
(4)They used pressure and intimidating tactics upon Samson’s wives (Judges 14:15-18; 16:5).
STEADFASTNESS OF PURPOSE
Judges 16:5; 1 Kings 22:31-33; Philippians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 16:13; Galatians 5:1; Proverbs 24:21.
The Philistines were steadfast in their pursuit of this one objective – the destruction of Samson. They were not really bothered about the children of Israel. They concentrated all their attention on Samson. They knew that if the shepherd is smitten, it is an easy job to scatter the sheep (1 Kings 22:31-33; Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31).
They were not busy here and there over insignificant and unimportant things (1 Kings 20:39-42).
This should be our attitude and disposition in spiritual warfare. We should be focused and committed to this one thing – the complete destruction and elimination of the enemy (Philippians 3:13). We should never rest content until Satan has been bruised under our feet (Romans 16:20). We should be singular in our purpose.
Their goal was clear and well defined: “may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him” (Judges 16:5).
SERIOUSNESS AND PASSION
Judges 14:19; 15:3,4,8-16; 16:1-3,5,18; Numbers 13:30; 14:7-9; Joshua 14:6-15; 1 Samuel 17:32,40-51; Acts 23:12-14.
The Philistines were so serious about their goal that they were ready to bet their lives and resources on it. Samson had caused them so much economic and human damage but they were ready to put up with the losses until they achieve their aim (Judges 14:19; 15:3,4,8-16; 16:1-3). ALL the Philistines were united in the pursuit of this common objective.
They were ready to spend money to achieve their aim (Judges 16:5,18). Achieving goals cost money. Are you ready to spend money in order to become a spiritual conqueror and giant killer? – money to buy books, audio cassette tapes, video tapes, attend conferences, etc. The amount we are ready to spend will be an index of our seriousness and passion.
SURGERY AND PUNISHMENT
Judges 16:21; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 15:13; Jeremiah 1:10; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 1 Samuel 17:51; Romans 16:20.
After repeated failures, their strategy eventually bore fruit. Their persistence and seriousness were rewarded. The giant that had hitherto remained untamed was now captured:
“BUT the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house” (Judges 16:21). What a terrible plight!
They subjected Samson to a subhuman treatment. They performed a cruel surgery on him – removed his eyes in cold blood without any anaesthetic and put him in chains like a prisoner of war and they put him into hard labour.
Samson was reduced to no more than a helpless invalid. Yesterday’s giant has been reduced to today’s grasshopper – vulnerable, defeated and incarcerated!
Whenever we have a go at the enemy, we must never hold back our sword from blood (Jeremiah 48:10). We must never spare the enemy. Total destruction and elimination of the enemy must be our watchword.