Judges 16, Proverbs 24, Hebrews 9

Pride. Samson was a great man with a great weakness: pride. He knew he was special and that God appointed him for mighty works in the literal sense of the word. Even his failures God used for Israel's good. After twenty years he must have felt invincible, because he trusted Delilah even after evidence that she was not trustworthy.

Consequence. When Samson disobeyed God in the one critical act of allowing his head to be shaved, God followed the principle of tough love and logical consequences. Samson knew the presence of the Spirit of the Lord was symbolized by his hair. He knew if he cut it the Lord would depart. So did God. And that's what happened.

Destruction. The resulting suffering taught Samson what nothing else could: humility. When Samson humbled himself before God and everyone else, then the Spirit of the Lord performed His greatest work.

Warning. Wisdom, knowledge, understanding and righteousness are compared to a well-built house and productive field. Honestly, industriousness and steadiness are qualities leading to prosperity. But the most important teaching in this chapter of Proverbs is found in verses 11-12. A soul-winner is described in verse 11 and verse 12 teaches individual accountability. Ignorance is not necessarily and excuse.

Reformation. The tabernacle Moses built, and the temples after it, stood as symbols of spiritual truths and heavenly realities. Their purpose was instructional and as stand-ins for the Real Deal. In spite of their inferiority, they were necessary until the coming of Christ. Then He replaced them with His perfect sacrifice, shed blood, and resurrection. This is called "the time of reformation" in verse ten. This chapter is a beautiful description of the doctrine of atonement.

Salvation. Christ died for us, that by His power we might be saved. If we will turn to Him, away from our path toward death, and put our trust in Him instead of our own strength, we will be saved from destruction.