Tag Archives: being unequally yoked

Falling Asleep in the Lap of Delilah

Like a curious college student at a secular institution, I witnessed some strange sights during my first semester.  I participated in the party scene, attending numerous bashes throughout campus with a crew from my dorm.  While living on a co-ed floor, I met my neighbor across the hall when some drunk guy stumbled into her room and collapsed on the floor at midnight.  A few hours later my roommate came home from a party and threw up all over himself.  The events of this first night as a college student made me realize that if I continued down this road I might end up falling asleep in the lap of Delilah.

Then Samson went to Gaza and saw a prostitute there, and went in to her, Judges 16:1.

According to the Old Testament, Delilah was a Philistine prostitute.  Apparently, during a trip to Gaza, Samson paid for her services.  After this one night stand, Samson fell in love with this call girl.  Sexual attractions tend to make individuals think irrationally.  Subsequently, despite his parents wishes to marry a Jew, Samson chose to marry an enemy of Israel, a Philistine woman.  Based upon the passage below, Delilah only entered this relationship for the money, serving as a spy to extract the secret behind Samson’s great strength.  While falling asleep in Delilah’s lap one night, this information was finally revealed in Judges 16:15-17.

After this he fell in love with a [Philistine] woman [living] in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. So the [five] lords (governors) of the Philistines came to her and said to her, “Persuade him, and see where his great strength lies and [find out] how we may overpower him so that we may bind him to subdue him. And each of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver,” Judges 16:4-5.

The apostle Paul warns Christians about being unequally yoked with unbelievers, 2 Corinthians 6:14-16.  It’s unclear whether Paul is referring to Samson and Delilah, but if you date someone who does not possess a biblical worldview, your faith will be tested.  Some churches encourage and promote missionary dating, trying to win your significant other to Christ.  Yet, those who attempt this have the odds against them.  Nonetheless, some people have to learn the hard way, escaping from the lap of Delilah when love falls apart.  Whatever your current situation is, may the Holy Spirit grant you wisdom to escape temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

by Jay Mankus

An Anniversary Day Prayer

Eight teen years ago today, I took the plunge, walking down the altar to a new life with my wife Leanne.  Three kids, two states and  one adventure after another has etched fond memories of the past two decades together.  With marriages, relationships and vows not lasting as long as they once did, an anniversary day prayer is necessary to keep the flame of love alive.

As Adam learned eons ago, Genesis 2:20-24, finding a suitable helper isn’t easy.  Maybe this is one of the reasons why King Solomon continued to seek wife after wife according to 1 Kings 11:1-3.  Unfortunately, even one of the wisest men to ever walk the face of the earth forgot to consider how being unequally yoked would influence his own relationship with God, 2 Corinthians 6:14-15.  All you have to do is read Proverbs 19:13 and 21:9 to understand Solomon’s regrets about rushing into marriage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDe0OjjPLbs

With this in mind, I am thankful for waiting, watching and trusting God to provide a godly spouse.  Although each of us have our own imperfections, the Lord has guided our steps together as a couple, Galatians 5:25.  Whatever the future holds, I am grateful to a loving wife, 3 great kids and daily bread.  Prayer is what has held my family together, offering up loved ones to God and asking angels to keep watch when you are not around.  In the end, one of my favorite prayers is for God give me the wisdom of Solomon, the love of Jesus and  the favor of Joseph from Genesis.    May you find the same joy and peace that I have experienced over the last 18 years.

by Jay Mankus