12 August 2010
Psalm 105:1-22; Judges 14:1-19; Acts 6:15-7:16; John 4:27-42

Samson’s downfall begins here. He had lived under a Nazirite vow his entire life but now he chose a Philistine wife, a Canaanite, a pagan, those with whom the Israelites were not to intermarry lest they be enticed to follow after their gods. On the way there, at the vineyards of Timnah (did he eat the fruit of the vine here also) he kills a young lion and on the way home eats of the honey from bees who had built a hive in the carcass, breaking the Nazirite vow which includes avoiding corpses of any kind (see Numbers 6). His “riddle” at the wedding feast and his wife’s involvement with her people in order to avoid them embarrassment causes Samson’s first outburst of anger and violence on her behalf. She had become a snare to him and in order to get out of his vow to the Philistines he is forced to go 20 miles away and kill 30 men to fulfill the vow, further defiling himself in the eyes of the Lord.

Jesus has ritually defiled Himself by his contact with the Samaritan woman and when they return the disciples are amazed that He is speaking to her. The woman, meanwhile, has gone into the city and invited them all to come and see a man who is clearly an amazing prophet. I wonder what the disciples were thinking as they saw this crowd coming out to the well. They surely expected these Samaritans to be angry that this Jew had been talking with a woman from their town and wondering what in the world Jesus had said to her to cause the entire town to come out to defend her honor. Jesus sees the crowd as the harvest and anticipates what comes next, the belief of these Samaritans.

We are told that Stephen’s face was like that of an angel. The Lord had promised that when the disciples were called before the council to give testimony that He would be with them and the Spirit would speak through them. Remember that when Abraham met with the Lord and then with the people his countenance was changed and described as “shining.” Here we see that a physical manifestation was given to Stephen and yet the council does not recognize his appearance and react as all others in Scripture do when confronted with an angel, they have no fear, they are blinded by their hatred. Stephen begins his speech well, he knows his Jewish history and no one would find fault in his opening words, they are similar to the Psalm for the day, but where in the world was he headed?

O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wonderful works.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually.