What Hast Thou Done
I am of the firm belief that the Bible cannot be exhausted in this lifetime. I am eternally grateful that the Lord has revealed to me these things that convicts me, humbles me, teaches me and allows me to share it. All things of this life, earth and existing shall be consumed and done away with. Only 2 things shall go on from this life to eternity - the soul and the Word of God. Great praise and honor to the Lord Who allows, directs and permits when these two things come together.
There are many in this world that do not have the Word of God. There are many that do not have the freedom to own or have a Bible. There are many that do not have the education to read and study the Word. So when God gives us opportunity, freedom and education to read, study, memorize and meditate on the Word, we are reminded, 'That where much is given, much is required." For such a time as this, the Lord allow,s permits and moves us to have amble opportunity to glean much of His Word, promises, ways, and truths. How much are you gleaning? How much are you digesting into your soul?
Out of my opportunity, the Lord has given me insatiable appetite for the Word. Not just to read it through, which should be for all Christians. Not just to learn of the men and women and happenings of God's actions toward His servants. But to glean deep meanings and hidden things from the common that reveals the will, nature, Names and ways of God. Every thing about the Word is to point us back to God; for it is God's Word. Each book, chapter, verse, phrase and word all take us back to God. Now, how we glean and learn that is the work of the Holy Spirit. He opens the eyes, ears, hearts, souls, minds and opportunities for it to be revealed for His purpose, will and way in the believer.
Great teachers and preachers have been given truth to proclaim and the church has recevied and be undoubtedly blessed by all of that. For it was revealed to them to share and pass along for others, so that they 'might grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord'.
Out of my studies, I have been blessed immeasurably by certain things in the Scriptures. Word studies, phrases, all the questions of the Bible have spoken to me about my walk and life, and how I am doing in the sight of the Lord. Out of these things that speak to me, I preach and share as much as I am able in the hopes that it may speak to them as it did to me. One of these is the reason for this writing, 'What hast thou done?' It is filled in multiple ways of my word/phrase studies. The word 'do' and all it stenses; phrase - great questions of the bible; and as you read through the Scriptures you see it used over and over: what have you done? why have you done this? what are you doing? etc. We see, I hope, clearly the relevance of our spiritaul life and walk and whether the Lord is pleased or not.
Out of the dozens of this phrase, 'What hast thou done?' here in Judges 15 it is used in multiple ways.
Judges 15:6, 'Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire."
Judges 15:11, "Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them."
There is a conversation between 3 groups here. Samson, the men of Judah and the Philistines asking questions and making statements, all in regards of relevance to our study. Two questions asked, regarding our study, 'What hast thou done?" And two statements made, 'as they did unto me, so I do unto them.'
The children of Israel have sinned, again. And throughout the book of Judges, this was there continued pattern, 'they did evil in the sight of the Lord'. God would then respond to their sin and allow and cause them to be sent into captivity. The children of Israel would humble themselves before Him and cry out to God for help and deliverance. And even though the Lord's long-suffering was tested, His mercy and grace prevailed for His Name sake. And God would raise up a deliverer and judge to lead them out of captivity and sin. The Philistines had held dominion over Israel for a several decades and God raised up Samson to deliver them out of their hands.
We see through these chapters God using Samson for great exploits and power to best the Philistines. He slew a 1000 Philistines; he carried to gates on his shoulder and walked out of harms way; he tore a lion in two; he slew 30 men and took their clothes to pay his debt. And we read throughout these moments, that it was not the man, but the Lord; 'And the Spirit of God came upon him. . .". Thus we know that if anything be done it is not because of men, but because of the Master.
Answer the question:
v. 6, 'Who hath done this?"
The Philistines were asking the question. Their crops had been destroyed. Samson had done this. But was it Samson alone? Oh no. We see a greater means behind the 'here and now' 'physical' answer. Back in Judges 14, when all this started with Samson seeing a Philistine to marry. We see in chapter 14:4, 'But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines" It is the Lord, 'who hath done this'.
Now answering this question of 'Who hath done this?' is the stark contrast between God's doing and man's doing. It is the difference between the eternal vs. the temporal; the Spirit vs. the flesh; the heavenly vs. the earthly and the Divine vs. the temporal. This is such a difference in answering of this question and recognizing "who's" behind it.
Started: November 6, 2018
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