THE RISE, RULE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A RIGHTEOUS LEADER
Text: Judges 13:3-5,24,25
Samson is an important leader in Scripture worth studying. To benefit fully from his story, we must go beyond the familiar lessons and seek a deeper understanding of his life and calling. Believers must grasp how a leader rises, rules and performs the responsibilities entrusted to him, whilst we strive to remain righteous as we run our race.
1. THE BIRTH AND REVELATION OF A RISING LEADER
Judges 13:24,25
Every believer needs to discover the reason he is born, blessed, built, baptised in the Spirit and chosen by God to be a leader in His Kingdom.
(I). THE ONLY REASON FOR HIS BIRTH
Judges 13:1-5; Jeremiah 1:5-10; Luke 1:13-17,76
Samson was born to deliver Israel from the Philistines, and the revelation of the purpose of his birth came with that mandate. The Lord sought a deliverer for Israel among thousands, but none was found. That was when He ordained Samson’s birth by declaring to the mother: “…But thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.” Jeremiah was also ordained to be a prophet even before his birth, and God’s promised presence was with him. John the Baptist was born to turn the children of Israel to the “Lord their God” and herald the coming of Christ. These examples show that everyone is born for a reason. Thus, whatever we acquire in life as believers, it should lead us to the fulfilment of the reason we were born.
(II). THE ORDAINED RULES FOR HIS BEHAVIOUR
Judges 13:5,7; Isaiah 52:11; 2 Timothy 2:19-22
Samson was to learn and follow the ordained rules for his life after his birth. He was to be a Nazarite, chosen for God’s glory. Thus, “no razor shall come on his head” was the divine directive to his parents.This rule applied from his birth “to the day of his death”. Even his mother was to avoid unclean things during pregnancy. Believers are called to know and follow God’s rules for their lives, as we cannot change His requirements. We must separate ourselves from every “unclean thing” in order to be fit for God’s use and “prepared unto every good work” – preaching, counselling, praying for others and winning souls.
(III). THE OBTAINABLE RESOURCES FOR HIS BATTLES
Judges 13:25; John 3:34; Acts 1:8
Samson obtained resources for his battles through the Spirit of the Lord, which saturated his life with power to fulfil God’s ordained plan. His uniqueness and standout feature was the physical power he possessed. Besides, there is also mental and spiritual power that comes with the gifts of the Spirit. The source of this power is the Spirit of God. To be effective witnesses, Jesus promises that “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” But beyond our familiar ‘Jerusalem’, there is extra power which is essential to navigate more challenging environments – ‘Judaea, Samaria and uttermost part of the earth’ – and succeed, especially where we do not understand their culture, language and background.
2. THE BRIDLE OF RESTRAINT FOR A RULING LEADER
Proverbs 16:32; 1 Corinthians 9:27
Bridling our tongues, thoughts, minds, emotions is very important. This is because if we must experience victory, it must begin from the inner life. Samson needed to have authority and victory over himself first before he could overcome the cities and the lords of the Philistines. No wonder the Bible says that a person that “ruleth his spirit” is better “than he that taketh a city.” Before we can bring those heathen nations under the power of the gospel, we must “keep under [our] body, and bring it into subjection”. If we fail in this regard, we will likewise fail in whatever we do on the outside.
(I). THE RECKLESSNESS OF AN INDULGENT LEADER
Judges 14:3; Deuteronomy 7:3,4; Proverbs 7:24-27
Like Samson’s parents, many parents today are reckless and indulgent in their parental roles. Samson’s parents instructed him not to marry a Philistine, but they still accompanied him, thereby supporting his decision. If they had held firm to their stance on the word and will of God they declared to him, the Philistines might not have agreed to give their daughter in marriage. This lack of conviction is common among parents and preachers today. When we counsel against wrongdoing and individuals persist, we must stand firm on our conviction so as not to undermine our own teachings.
(II).THE ROOTLESSNESS OF AN INDISCRETE LOVER
Judges 16:4-6,16-18; Proverbs 6:25-29, 32; Hebrews 13:4
Delilah was a rootless and indiscrete lover, but this trait is not exclusive to women; anyone can exhibit it. Samson failed to check Delilah’s background or motives. He was blinded by his infatuation. Delilah’s sole interest was to uncover the secret of Samson’s power, not for her own benefit or to empower others, but to exploit it.
Sometimes, people’s interest in us is not driven by genuine love, but to weaken us. Samson’s mistake was not discerning Delilah’s true intentions. He was limited. Unlike Elisha who discerned the enemy’s plot of an impending invasion of Israel and the hideous covetous deeds of his servant, Samson did not have the Spirit of Revelation and perception that would have helped him understand her motives. We must learn to shield ourselves from those who seek to undermine our strength and calling, and prioritise our spiritual wellbeing and eternity.
(III). THE RUINOUSNESS OF AN INDEPENDENT LOSER
Judges 16:18-21; 2 Samuel 1:19,20; 1 Corinthians 10:12
Samson’s independence led to his downfall. He lived without being accountable to anyone. He was also a lone ranger, without receiving counsel or support from anyone. Besides, he lived in secrecy, which ultimately made him vulnerable. Delilah exploited his trust, disclosed the secret of his power and betrayed him to the Philistines. Samson lost, One, his symbolic sign – the hair on his head that stood him out and signified the power upon his life. Two, his strength. Three, his sight and insight. When his eyes were plucked out, he never remembered to pray for miracle eyes. Four, his status and stature.
He was once powerful but later despised by all. Five, his significance. He could no longer manifest power and was no longer relevant. Six, his safety and security. He became a prisoner, forced to do menial tasks and entertain the Philistines. Seven, the Spirit. As believers, before entering into any venture or interaction, we must consider what we stand to lose and pray against the likes of Delilah, Demas, and Diotrephes who would seek to take away the precious things in our lives.
3. THE RAIN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH A RESPONSIBLE LEADER
Hosea 10:12
As responsible leaders, the only reason we were born and placed in the kingdom is to be wholly devoted to God and be committed to righteous living.
(I). REMEMBER THE OLD-TIME POWER AND PRAY PURPOSEFULLY
Judges 16:26-30; Psalm 110:3; Romans 15:18-21
We must learn to recall the greatest heights of power, assurance, faith, and confidence we had experienced in the past and pray to regain that level. As we seek Him, we will experience a renewed outpouring of His power. God will make us forget our past struggles.
(II). REMEMBER THE NEW TIMELESS POSSIBILITIES AND PRAY PERCEPTIVELY
Judges 16:28; Mark 10:51,52; John 9:30-32
Unlike Samson who lost his sight and felt hopeless, we can pray for restoration in this new dispensation. With Jesus as our King, we have access to new possibilities in the New Testament. He opens the eyes of the blind and grants sight and insight. As we follow Him, our sight and revelation will not fail us and we shall recover all that we have lost in life and ministry.
(III). REMEMBER THE END-TIME PROPHECIES AND PRAY PROPERLY
Judges 16:30; Jeremiah 32:38-40; Hebrews 2:14,15
“And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines…”Samson’s prayer reflected his desperation after losing all. Whatever had happened or is our present struggle, we must not pray like Samson as New Testament believers but believe and declare God’s promise to preserve our lives. He says, “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation”. Since Christ died to conquer the devil who has “the power of death…”, we must not fear premature death because it is not our portion. Thus, we must pray with faith in God’s provision and promise of a better and more successful life that will fulfil His purpose for you.
