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A Sure Crop, May 9
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Proverbs 1:10
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Samson in his peril had the same source of strength as had Joseph. He could
choose the right or the wrong as he pleased. But instead of taking hold of the
strength of God, he permitted the wild passions of his nature to have full sway.
The reasoning powers were perverted, the morals corrupted. God had called
Samson to a position of great responsibility, honor, and usefulness; but he must
first learn to govern by first learning to obey the laws of God. Joseph was a
free moral agent. Good and evil were before him. He could choose the path of
purity, holiness, and honor, or the path of immorality and degradation. He chose
the right way, and God approved. Samson, under similar temptations, which
he had brought upon himself, gave loose rein to passion. The path which he
entered upon he found to end in shame, disaster, and death. What a contrast to
the history of Joseph
The Lord has in His Word plainly instructed His people not to unite them-
selves with those who have not His love and fear before them. Such companions
will seldom be satisfied with the love and respect which are justly theirs. They
will constantly seek to gain from the God-fearing wife or husband some favor
which shall involve a disregard of the divine requirements. To a godly man, and
to the church with which he is connected, a worldly wife or a worldly friend is
as a spy in the camp, who will watch every opportunity to betray the servant of
Christ, and expose him to the enemy’s attacks
The history of Samson conveys a lesson for those whose characters are yet
unformed, who have not yet entered upon the stage of active life. The youth
who enter our schools and colleges will find there every class of mind. If they
desire sport and folly, if they seek to shun the good and unite with the evil, they
have the opportunity. Sin and righteousness are before them, and they are to
choose for themselves. But let them remember that “Whatsoever a man soweth
that shall he also reap.
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18
Ibid., 1007
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19
Ibid., 1006
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20
Ibid., 1007
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