28 November 2025
BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
Daily Bible Reading
Judges 15 – Fire, vengeance and deliverance – Samson’s battle with the Philistines
When human revenge collides with divine power – and God’s grace shines in the middle of chaos
Read online here
Introduction
Judges 15 describes a dramatic chapter in the life of Samson, perhaps the most famous judge of Israel. It is a story filled with emotion: anger, betrayal, violence — but also divine intervention and mercy. This chapter shows how God works even through the broken and impulsive actions of a man, in order to free His people. It is a chapter that confronts us — and makes us think deeply.
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Commentary
Samson was no ordinary man — he was consecrated to God as a Nazirite from birth. Yet he often lived impulsively, driven by emotion and retaliation. In chapter 15, Samson returns to his wife during the wheat harvest. He comes with a gift — a young goat. But he is not allowed in. His wife’s father tells him she was given to another man. As compensation he offers Samson her younger sister.
Samson is deeply offended — and understandably so. Yet his response is extreme: he captures 300 foxes, ties them in pairs, fastens torches to their tails and releases them into the Philistines’ fields. What follows is devastating destruction. Grain, vineyards, olive groves — all go up in flames. Enraged, the Philistines burn Samson’s wife and her father — the very cause of the conflict.
Samson retaliates again, this time with lethal force. Afterwards he withdraws to a cave in the rock of Etam. The Philistines advance into Judah to seize Samson. The men of Judah, afraid of the Philistines, negotiate with him. Samson agrees to be bound — on the condition that they do not kill him themselves.
When he is handed over to the Philistines, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly rushes upon him. The ropes break like scorched flax. He finds a fresh jawbone of a donkey — a weapon of weakness — and strikes down a thousand Philistines.
But after victory comes weakness. Exhausted and thirsty, Samson cries out to God. In that moment we see something new: humility. He acknowledges God’s work in him — and pleads for help. God hears his cry and brings water forth from a hollow in the rock. Samson drinks and is restored — both outwardly and inwardly.
The chapter ends with these words: Samson judged Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines. Despite his failures — his impulsiveness, his vengeance, his flawed decisions — he was an instrument in God’s hand.
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Summary
• Samson experiences betrayal and responds with revenge.
• His destructive acts against the Philistines weaken Israel’s enemy.
• Despite human weakness, God’s Spirit acts powerfully through him.
• At Samson’s lowest point — weak and thirsty — he cries out to God and is answered.
• God uses him as judge over Israel for twenty years.
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Message for us today
Judges 15 is not a moral handbook on how to act — it is an honest portrait of human weakness and divine patience. Samson is no perfect hero. Many of his actions are driven by emotion and personal motive. Yet God works even through broken, conflicted people.
The central truth: God’s power is not limited by our perfection.
He can work through our chaos, our failures, our detours — if we turn to Him. We see this most clearly when Samson prays in exhaustion. It may be his first genuine moment of dependence on God.
In a world where many believe past mistakes disqualify them, this story whispers hope:
God uses the willing — not the flawless.
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Reflection
Where am I fighting in my own strength?
Where do I act out of anger, reaction or pride — instead of seeking God’s direction?
And:
What might happen if — like Samson — I cry out to God in my fatigue, my need, my weakness?
Perhaps He has been waiting for that moment.
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27 – 29 November 2025
BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
Weekly Reading – Spirit of Prophecy
Ellen White | Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 44
Crossing the Jordan | How God Leads His People – Through Water, Signs, and Obedience
Read online here
BLOG 2 – The Commission and the Preparation
Rise and Go – Joshua’s courageous beginning
From divine calling to the first steps toward the Jordan
Introduction
The Jordan lay before Israel like an unpassable barrier. But before God performed the miracle, He called Joshua to encourage the people and take the first step into the unknown.
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Commentary
Israel was still camped on the eastern side of the Jordan. The river was swollen — wild, high, and uncrossable. Beyond it waited Jericho, a fortress like a wall of stone rising against them. Everything looked impossible.
But into that moment came God’s voice:
“Rise, and cross the Jordan.”
No explanations.
No strategy.
No hint of the miracle that was coming.
Just a command — clear as a call to move forward.
Joshua obeyed immediately. He sent two young, bold spies into Jericho. They slipped into the city, heard the fear of its people, and found refuge with a woman no one would have expected to become a heroine — Rahab.
She risked her life to save them — and became Israel’s first ally in the new land.
When the spies returned, they did not report walls and weapons — but hearts failing with fear.
The people of Jericho had heard what God had done.
And they knew — a God like this cannot be stopped.
Their report fell like a mantle of courage over Israel. When Joshua commanded,
“Prepare yourselves — in three days we cross!”
the entire people answered:
“As we obeyed Moses, so we will obey you!”
And so they stood at the river.
No bridge.
No crossing point.
No visible way.
Heaven was silent — but Joshua knew:
The God who calls will also open the way.
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Summary
Joshua receives God’s commission.
The spies confirm that Jericho fears the God of Israel.
The people boldly prepare for the crossing.
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Message for us today
God often does not reveal the whole path — only the first step.
But those who take it will witness God opening what seemed impossible.
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Reflection
What first step into the unknown will you trust God with today?
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LuxVerbi | The light of the Word. The clarity of faith.
