When God says His thoughts and ways are above ours, He isn't wrong. How often we look at situations without knowledge necessary to understand what God's purposes are! Samson's parents faced such a dilemma with their son's choice of a spouse. He demanded they go to Timnath and arrange a marriage with a Philistine woman who lived there.
Initially Manoah and his wife gently rebuffed the idea, suggesting there must be a woman among their countrymen who would be a more suitable match. But Samson would not be deterred. Judges 14:4 reveals this particular choice was of God: "But his father and mother did not know that it was of the LORD--that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel." It seems odd God would "seek an occasion" against the Philistines in such an...unorthodox way...as if there is an orthodox way. Reading this emphatically demonstrates God is right to use whatever means He wants to accomplish His good purposes. Behind Samson's request for a Philistine bride was an occasion God would use to deliver His people from their oppressors.
God's ways are higher than ours, and like Him we ought to seek opportunities to do good. We cannot say how God will use a kind word, a compassionate smile, or prayers for the benefit of others. Galatians 6:9-10 says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." God provides us opportunities to spend and be spent for His glory, to give of our time, resources, and efforts to encourage and edify others, especially amongst fellow believers. A farmer understands the seed he sows will bring forth a crop after its kind, and as we sow to the Spirit there will be eternal fruit we don't even realise.
It was faith in God--not in the wisdom or foresight of their son Samson--which would have provided peace in a very troubling and unexpected development, that Samson would ask for the hand of a Philistine girl in marriage! How that must have gnawed at them, and what pains they endured when the marriage lasted only days and their son came home angry and broken. But God knew what He was doing; God's purposes were being furthered in a way none could have predicted. The vendetta between Samson and the Philistines escalated until the death of Samson, and in his death he defeated more Philistines than he had during his life. Only God can bring victory in death.
Isn't it amazing God would come to earth and die for sinners on Calvary in the person of Jesus Christ? No one could have anticipated such a thing, not even the scheming devil himself. The death of Jesus and His resurrection was a death blow to the powers of Satan, death, and hell. God provided for Himself a spotless Lamb to atone for the sins of all under Satan's rule, and He shed His own blood to purchase all who will trust in Him. The ways of God are truly past finding out! Who knows what God will do in the lives of people and nations to accomplish His purposes! What appears or actually is foolish in the hands of our gracious God can be redeemed for good and His glory.
Initially Manoah and his wife gently rebuffed the idea, suggesting there must be a woman among their countrymen who would be a more suitable match. But Samson would not be deterred. Judges 14:4 reveals this particular choice was of God: "But his father and mother did not know that it was of the LORD--that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel." It seems odd God would "seek an occasion" against the Philistines in such an...unorthodox way...as if there is an orthodox way. Reading this emphatically demonstrates God is right to use whatever means He wants to accomplish His good purposes. Behind Samson's request for a Philistine bride was an occasion God would use to deliver His people from their oppressors.
God's ways are higher than ours, and like Him we ought to seek opportunities to do good. We cannot say how God will use a kind word, a compassionate smile, or prayers for the benefit of others. Galatians 6:9-10 says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." God provides us opportunities to spend and be spent for His glory, to give of our time, resources, and efforts to encourage and edify others, especially amongst fellow believers. A farmer understands the seed he sows will bring forth a crop after its kind, and as we sow to the Spirit there will be eternal fruit we don't even realise.
It was faith in God--not in the wisdom or foresight of their son Samson--which would have provided peace in a very troubling and unexpected development, that Samson would ask for the hand of a Philistine girl in marriage! How that must have gnawed at them, and what pains they endured when the marriage lasted only days and their son came home angry and broken. But God knew what He was doing; God's purposes were being furthered in a way none could have predicted. The vendetta between Samson and the Philistines escalated until the death of Samson, and in his death he defeated more Philistines than he had during his life. Only God can bring victory in death.
Isn't it amazing God would come to earth and die for sinners on Calvary in the person of Jesus Christ? No one could have anticipated such a thing, not even the scheming devil himself. The death of Jesus and His resurrection was a death blow to the powers of Satan, death, and hell. God provided for Himself a spotless Lamb to atone for the sins of all under Satan's rule, and He shed His own blood to purchase all who will trust in Him. The ways of God are truly past finding out! Who knows what God will do in the lives of people and nations to accomplish His purposes! What appears or actually is foolish in the hands of our gracious God can be redeemed for good and His glory.
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