2023-MMM-DD 3:00PM

Liturgy

Preservice Song: Ps. 60: 2, 5
*Votum & Salutation
*Opening Song: Ps. 66: 1, 2
Profession of Faith: Nicene Creed
Amen Song: Hymn 2
Prayer
Reading of Scripture: Numbers 6: 1-21
Song of Preparation: Hymn 79: 1-5
Reading of the Text: Judges 13: 1-14:10
Ministry of the Word: The strong judge who was weak: a strange and high calling rejected
1. Israel didn't understand – and never asked
2. Samson's parents didn’t understand – and continued asking
3. Samson didn't understand – and lived his own way
*Song of Response: Ps. 34: 1-3
Thanksgiving Prayer
Offertory: CRWRF
*Song of Closing: Hymn 43: 1-4
*Benediction

Samson; a real-life superhero with strength and wit.
But unlike superheros in fiction today, Samson did not learn, grow, and understand.

We see a pattern that repeats throughout the Old Testament:
1. Israel going astray from God.
2. Israel suffering (war, famine, slavery, persecution, etc.).
3. Israel calling out to God for help.
4. God listening and sending a prophet, priest, king, or judge.
5. Israel reforming and turning back to God, and prospering.
6. The prophet, priest, king, or judge dies, and the cycle repeats.
However, the story of Samson is different. It follows ~400 years of the cycle. But this time, Israel did not call out to God for help. It seems they were weary of the cycle, and had grown despondent or cynical.
Samson was sent, the last of the judges.

Although Samson's mother is not mentioned by name, we see signs that she was the more faithful of Samson's parents.

Samson did not understand until the very end what his purpose had been.
Samson used his abilities to do what he wanted; he strayed from God.
Samson could not save the Israelites, even with all the power, blessings, and opportunities that he was given.