Out Of The Strong Came Forth Sweetness

JUNE 11, 2024

 “Then went Samson down,…and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid (lamb), and he had nothing in his hand…” (Judges 14:5, 6)

“After a time he returned…and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion. And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and his mother, and he gave them, and they did eat…” (Judges 14:8, 9)

It was a singular circumstance that a man unarmed should have slain a vicious lion, rending him with his bare hands. Adding to the wonderment is that a swarm of bees should have taken possession of the dried carcass and filled it with honey. In that land and climate, the dead body would have soon decayed and been cleansed of all corruption, leaving the skeleton clean and white, nevertheless, there was something extraordinary here. This amazing occurrence later became the subject of a riddle that Samson proposed at the feast which he provided prior to his marriage. “Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness.” (Vs. 14) None were able to solve the riddle until the answer was given to them by Samson’s new wife. “What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion?” (Vs. 18) With the riddle we will not now concern ourselves, except to take notice of the Great Gospel truth that it declares.

Samson is himself a riddle, as a simple reading of Judges, chapters thirteen through sixteen, will show. The riddle maker is indeed an enigma not easily understood or explained; therefore we will not attempt to explain any of the mysteries about him. Our attention will be given to the marvelous fact that in spite of Samson’s inexplicable character and inconsistent behavior as a Nazarite (one consecrated to God), we see in him a dual type. First, he is a type of Christ, and second, he is a type of the consecrated believer. Both types can be seen in what Samson did when he went down to Timnath (Vs. 5, 6), and what he did on his return trip a little while afterward. (Vs. 8, 9)

As he went down, his parents with him, to Timnath, a young lion roared against him. Now, apparently, he had gone ahead of his mother and father, and therefore he was able, as “the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him,” to slay the lion that would surely have devoured his parents. He, like our mighty Savior, was able to destroy the destroyer. Christ has taken on that old, “roaring lion” that “goeth about seeking whom he may devour,” and has slain him. He now stands in the midst of His Church with His hands dripping with sweetness and consolation. He gives us that which enlightens the eyes. (I Sam. 14:27) We feed upon his Word, and say with the psalmist, “How sweet are thy words to my taste,” yea, “More to be desired are they than gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Our great Deliverer gives to us that which is a foretaste of the heavenly Canaan, a glorious land “flowing with milk and honey.”

The Apostle John tells us that, “As He is, so also are we in the world.” Samson’s calling was to be a warrior against the Philistines (A people typical of the Church’s enemies). Just as Samson’s conflicts began early, even from the time of his birth (Ch. 13:24, 25), so from the moment of our new birth our warfare is begun. Satan’s attacks often come unexpectedly. Who would have thought to come upon a roaring lion in a vineyard? Yet he was there on the prowl, and we must be on our guard at all times. When our Christian tranquility is suddenly interrupted by the roaring adversary, we have but one option: By the Spirit of the Lord, rend him violently. (Matt. 11:12)

The Christian’s life, though fraught with conflicts, is filled with sweetness as the result. How sweet the grace that flows to us through Christ’s slaying of the old lion! How sweet also are the victories that we personally win as the Spirit of God enables us. It is a life of sweetness as our God makes His grace to be our sufficiency and victory. Let us then, like Samson, share the sweets with others. “He took thereof (the honey) in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat.”

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