Ve~. 5, 6.-:-The lwn in the way. Very natural is this description. The wild ~ast m the vmeyards, the weaponlessness of the hero, &c., are all in keeping with the character of the times. Local names still extant prove the former existence of lions in Palestine ; the particular district was a border one between militant nations and therefore likely to be less thoroughly brought under; and Israel as temporarily subdued had been deprived of arms. The young lover, full of his mistress and not on the best terms with his parents, prefers to keep by himself, a little ap~rt. All this is highly sug~estive of parallel circumstances in the spiritual life: e. g.- I. YOUTH IS OFTEN SUBJECTED TO GREAT AND BUDDEN TEMPTATIONS. Our streets the social circle, sexual relations, &c., all abound with concealed perils. Thee~ threaten the destruction of the soul. II. THESE ARE, FROM THEIR NATURE, GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED ALONE AND IN SECRET. Bulwer Lytton says somewhere, that boys learn many things at school of great value ~o them throug:h life, that were never bargaine~ for by their parents, or represented m the school-bill. The youthful sense of growmg power, and assertion of independ- ence, creates a little world of which guardians are but dimly conscious. There is, too, the inability of age to sympathise with youth; and the natural reticence con- cerning matters of affection, &c. Every youth is centre of a number of invisible but potent influences that may make or mar him for life; and he ought therefore to be frequently commended to the care of his heavenly Father, and to be treated with gentleness and consideration by those in authority. III. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAN BENDER TIMELY AND EFFECTUAL HELP. The phrase, "came suddenly npon him," expresses opportunenese. The fearlessness and, modesty of the spiritual hero are here strikingly illustrated. I. IF EARTHLY AFFECTION WILL MAKE MEN BRAVE GREAT DANGERS AND INCONVENI• E)sCES, HOW MUCH MORE OUGHT THE LOVE OF GOD I II. WITH THE SPIRIT OF GoD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, AND HE MAKES ALL THINGS EASY AND SIMPLE TO THEM THAT BELIEVE. Ill HUMILITY IS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SPIRITUAL HERO.-M. Ver. 6.-The mystery of spiriiual mi,ght. "And he had nothing in hie hand." This is typical of the Christian. Christ's injunctions to the seventy. In Samson's case ii was probably due to the regulation imposed by the Philistines upon a con• qnered people. Christians are commanded not to put their trust in earthly equipment or the arm of flesh. I THAT OUR CONFLICTS WITH SATAN MAY BE TRUE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES AND NOT MERELY OUTWARD TRIUMPHS. II. THE INFLUX AND WITHDRAWAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT LIMIT THE AUTHORITY AND SECURE THE HUMILITY OF THE AGENT. How helpless even a Samson but for the Spirit! Temptations of our own seeking ma:>: be left to our o~ resources .. ~o enterprise ought to be undertaken without the aid of the Holy Spmt, and the D1vme blessing. What God brings upon us he will help us to overcome. III. THE FAITH OF THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER AND WORKER MUST BE WHOLLY IN Gon.-M.
Vera. 8, 9.-Recalling past deliverances. In this case Samson is led to do so eith~r by curiosity or the impulse of God's Spirit. He revisits the scene of the exploit, and meets with welcome but unexpected refreshment. There are various ways of recalling spiritual experiences of God's saving power in the past.. ~ometimes an accident (?) may bring up vividly some forgotten circumstance of D1vme grace, and we are overwhelmed with the recollections that crowd upon the mind. Soldiers who have fougl,t side by 6i.de in famous battles have their anniversaries of followship and en. XIV. 10-20.J THE BOOK OF ,TUDGES. 153
celebration. Are there no circumstances that justify these amongst Christians? It is a spiritual education and confirmation to recall circumstances and revisit scenes of God's saving mercies. I. THE DUTY OF THANKFUL RECOLLECTION OF DIVINE INTERPOSITIONS, II. THE SECnET AND UNSHARED COMMUNION OF THE SUBJECT OF GRACE WITH HIS SAVIOUR. Ill. ITS ADVANTAGE AND BLESSJNG,-M. Vere. 5, 6.-Samson and the lion. I. THE DANGER. 1. It came unsought. It is foolish for the bravest to court danger. We have only ground for meeting it bravely when we have not rashly provoked it. 2. It was une:xpected. Had Samson expected to encounter the lion he would probably have chosen another path, or have armed himself against it. One of the worst features of the great dangers of life is that we can rarely foresee and provide against them. 3. It was when Samson was on a pleasurable journey. He went to seek a wife, and met a lion I The greatest trouble may spring upon us at the moment of highest elation. Earthly joy is no safeguard. 4. It was when Samson was acting in a questionable manner. He was seeking a wife among the Philistines. His parents disapproved of this course though their affection sought an excuse for it (ver. 3). Hie conduct was contrary to the law of God (Exod. xxxiv. 16). We may meet with trouble in the path of duty, but we must expect to meet with it in the way of transgression (Jonah i. 4). II. THE TRIUMPH. 1. It was effected in the might of the Spirit of the Lord. Herein is the distinction between Samson and Hercules. The Jewish hero does not trust to his own muscular strength. Strong man as he is he can only do great things in God's strength. Thie is the redeeming feature of hie character. It shows him as one, though amongst the lowest, of the heroes of faith. If Samson needed the strength of inspiration, how much more do we weaker men need to be clothed in the panoply of God's might before we can face the dangers of life I 2. The Spirit of God came upon Samson in espeC'ial force in his greatest need. God gives us strength according to our requirements. In our hour of weakness it seems impossible to face the future difficulty, but when this comes how wonderfully is the new strength bestowed to meet it (Deut. xxxiii. 25). We must not, however, abuse this truth and neglect natural expedients. Samson would have been wrong in going unarmed if he bad expected to meet the lion. We have only a right to believe that God will help us in sudden emergencies when we are not rashly and negligently increasing the danger of them.. 3. The Spirit of God helped Samson by inspiring him to an extraording exer- cise of his natural powe:rs. It was to Samson the strong, a spirit of strength. God works in us through our natural faculties and helps us differently according to our various gifts. Though the might is God's, the daring, the will, the effort must be ours. God gave him strength, yet Samson slew the lion with his own hands. 4. After victory, Samson modestly concealed his triumph. It is better to be more than we seem than to seem more than we are. If the source of our victory is God's strength we have no ground for boasting.-A.
EXPOSITION.