1. Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”
But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.”
Our appetites are the desires that well up inside us. Usually, it relates to food, but it can mean a desire to satisfy any craving, or liking something. Someone can have an appetite for power or pleasure.
Sampson had a problem with his God-given strength, being a special child, and having so many advantages. As he grew into adulthood, he was not interested in what his parents said, or even God. Nobody could tell Sampson what to do. He did what he pleased. He was yielding to every appetite that would come his way.
When he saw a beautiful woman, he wanted her. It did not make a difference that she was a Philistine. She was from the enemy of Israel and a pagan society that did not fear God. They had their own idols and ways of worship. He told his parents, “now get her for me as my wife.”
It was the custom of that day for parents to arrange the wedding proposals. Mom and dad knew better than Samson. They knew the Lord told Abraham, all the way down to Moses, that the people of Israel were not to marry heathens. They were to marry fellow Israelites not because of their skin, but because of their faith. Manoah and his wife asked him “Isn’t there an accepted woman among your relations, or among all of our people? Must you go to uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”
There are times when God uses situations even though people may be not be in His will. He can turn bad situations into good. When it comes to marriage, we know the teaching of God is not to live in sin, not to have sex before marriage. It is His will to stay faithful to your spouse as long as you both live. Before we choose our spouses, we are told in the Bible to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Christian parents need to warn their children against marrying someone who’s not a Christian. If they do there are consequences.
I have seen it happen. Someone appeals to our sensual desires. We are attracted to them and soon our appetite convinces us it is okay to sin and go with our desires instead of God’s instructions. There are times when God uses situations that start wrong, but end up well. When our pride puts us above God’s will we are self-centered and not God-centered. Young people seek someone who appeals to their sexual desires and we say within our hearts “I like him.” “I want her.” “How can it be so wrong when it feels so right?” The same scenario happens outside of marriage when people find dissatisfaction with their spouse. Too many find others who give them more attention and end up in affairs and broken families. Their children pay the price of parents’ sin.
Application: Where are your appetites drawing you?
Prayer: Lord, fill me with an appetite for your word above all else. Help me to bring every decision to you.
