The steps of the righteous are not always easy, but they are ordered. Samson’s riddle holds something for us. God can use us like he did Samson to turn a bad situation into a revival.
Judges 14:5 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. 6 And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. 7 And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well. 8 And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. 9 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion. 14 And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.
The best of God’s blessings can spring from the worst that can happen to us. Samson was going through the vineyards of Timnath. Vineyards are pleasant, pretty places. Grapes smell good. In this sweet place a young lion, eager and hungry, pounced out. Its intent was to devour Samson. The worst of times can hit at the quiet, unexpected times. I’ve noticed when no waves are bouncing around that the lions are waiting. That’s typical of how the devil works. He stalks and waits for our most relaxed moments. He hates times of rest and solace, and he’ll use strange things to get to us. No matter how loud the roar, don’t worry. The size of the bite won’t be as bad as the roar.
The lion was ready to pounce, but Samson pounced back and tore him limb from limb. The Bible says the young lion became a carcass at the hands of Samson. God can take the roaring time against us and turn it around. He’ll give us strength to face it and the roaring lion will become a carcass.
Samson went about his way. It was hot. The carcass decayed. Usually buzzards eat stuff like this. God has a purpose for all things. Buzzards and vultures didn’t touch it, but honey bees built a nest and made a load of honey. Samson didn’t get stung at all. Stay in God’s will and you won’t either. He ate the honey out of the carcass of the slain lion. Samson’s destroyer became a carcass and then a platter of honey. He took the honey home to his dad and mom. God can turn roaring lions into honey.
Verse 14 says out of the strong scent of a carcass came the sweet aroma of honey. Honey is nature’s perfect food. You can survive a long time on natural honey. It is sticky on the hands and has to be washed off with soap and water or you’ll get it on everything. Samson didn’t tell his parents where the honey came from, but it had created a barrier to seal out the rot from the carcass. God takes care of his children. He can turn our adversary into road kill and put a barrier between us and the danger.
The manna in the wilderness was the shape of a wafer and tasted like honey. We serve a God who wants to make honey out of our road kill. He can bring meat out of the eater and sweetness out of the stench. He’ll make a way. There is no better taste than victory. I need a good taste of the Lord’s blessings. Let’s trust the Lord. Let’s eat of the honey he provides.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 