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🎙 Episode Summary

What do you do when you feel utterly alone—abandoned by friends, misunderstood by your own people, and left to stand for God without support?

In topday's episode, we walk through the stormy events of Judges 15 and the life of Samson: a man set apart by God, empowered by the Spirit, and yet isolated in his calling. From betrayal to supernatural victory, Samson’s story challenges us to consider the cost—and the reward—of radical faithfulness.

We explore how spiritual compromise can infect God's people, and how the courage to stand alone—like Samson, Luther, and Athanasius—can shape the future of the Church.

If you’ve ever felt abandoned, alone in your convictions, or pressured to conform, this episode is for you.

🔑 Key Themes

• The Cost of Faithfulness: What it means to stand for truth when no one else will
• Spiritual Compromise: How Judah’s betrayal of Samson reflects the church’s modern dangers
• Holy Spirit Empowerment: Samson’s strength wasn’t in his muscles—but in God’s presence
• The Power of One: From Athanasius to Luther, history turns on the courage of solitary saints

🛠 Takeaway Questions

• Have you ever felt called to stand when no one else would join you?
• Where might you be tempted to compromise instead of confront?
• What would it look like to depend more on the Holy Spirit than on approval from others?

This week, ask God: Where are You calling me to stand—alone if necessary?
Then pray for strength, humility, and clarity to do just that.

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Welcome

Thanks for pressing play! In today’s journey through Judges we meet Samson—the gifted judge who could tear lions to shreds, yet couldn’t rein in his own appetite. His life is a walking paradox: Spirit-empowered, vow-bound … and willfully compromised.

The big question we’re chasing: How can a holy God work through people who are anything but holy? If you’ve ever felt the tension between your calling and your failures, Samson’s story is your mirror—and your hope.

Episode Notes


1. Three Snapshot Scenes

1. **The Woman (vv. 1-4)**
“She is right in my eyes.” – Samson
• Impulse over covenant
• Echo of the book’s theme: *“Everyone did what was right in his own eyes”* (Judg 21:25).

2. **The Lion (vv. 5-9)**
• Spirit-given strength vs. self-given silence
• Touches a carcass twice, quietly breaking his Nazirite vow.

3. **The Riddle (vv. 10-12)**
• A seven-day drinking feast among Philistines
• “Out of the eater came something to eat…”—turning sin’s secrecy into gambling capital.

2. Big Truths to Chew On

| Truth | Why It Matters |

| God’s sovereignty bends even sinful choices into redemptive purposes (v. 4). | Your failures don’t write the final chapter. |
| Charisma without character caves in. | Spiritual gifting ≠ spiritual maturity. |
| “Right in my eyes” is the default of a leaderless heart. | We all need a better King than ourselves. |

3. Reflection Questions

1. Where do you rely on gifting while neglecting character?
2. Which appetites currently drive your “sight-based” decisions?
3. How have you seen God redeem a bad choice you made?
4. In what area do you need to swap *“right in my eyes”* for *“right in God’s eyes”* this week?

### 4. Practice This Week

• 30-Minute Audit:** List recent decisions. Mark each *S* (sight) or *F* (faith). Pray over the *S’s.*
• Honey Fast:** Skip your go-to comfort snack/beverage for three days. Each craving = a cue to pray, “Lord, master my appetites.”
• Accountability Text:** Ask a trusted friend, “What blind-spot do you see in me that I justify as ‘right in my eyes’?”


6. Resources & Links

Karl Barth, *Church Dogmatics* IV/1, p. 209 – on God’s use of human sin for divine purpose

---

## 🙌 Stay Connected

• Jeremy McCandless | Substack Subscribe for the written companion essays.


Rate & review if this episode gave you fresh hope. See you next week when we watch Samson’s riddle explode—and trace the fallout to God’s bigger rescue plan.

*Grace outmuscles failure—always.*

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Welcome to today’s episode, where we dive into Judges 13—the beginning of Samson’s remarkable story. In a time of Israel’s deep spiritual decline, we witness a divine intervention: the angel of the Lord announces the birth of a deliverer. But Samson’s arrival isn’t just a story of hope—it’s a tale of consecration, purpose, and the tension between human weakness and divine calling. What does this chapter reveal about God’s ways? And how does it set the stage for the turbulent life of one of Israel’s most enigmatic leaders, and asks the question, are there times when even God's Blessings Are Not Enough.

Let’s explore.

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Welcome:

Have you ever seen a disagreement spiral—not because of what was at stake, but because of how it was handled?

In this short but sobering episode, we open Judges 12 to examine the tragic story of Jephthah and the Ephraimites—a civil war sparked not by justice, but by ego, exclusion, and pride. What unfolds is a confrontation where spiritual language masks carnal motives, and people use power, relationships, and wealth for personal gain rather than godly service.

But this isn’t just ancient history.

It’s a mirror. And it asks us hard questions:

— How do we respond when we feel overlooked?
— Are we serving quietly and faithfully like Elon—or chasing applause?
— Do we lead with humility, or dominate in disguise?

This chapter shows us the dangers of being conformed to the age we live in—and the call to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

Join us as we trace these themes through the stories of Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon—and learn what true spiritual leadership, grace, and quiet faithfulness look like.

Support the show

To listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

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🎙️Welcome to The Bible Project Daily Podcast, the place where we open God’s Word each day to discover the wisdom, challenge, and encouragement it holds for our lives.

Today’s episode is titled “Making a Deal With God – Right or Wrong?” and we’re going to walk through one of the most perplexing, powerful, and emotionally charged stories in the book of Judges.

Have you ever made a desperate promise to God? “Lord, if you get me out of this, I’ll do anything.” You’re not alone. Many have made vows like that—on battlefields, in hospitals, in crises of all kinds. But is that the right way to approach God? And what happens when we bargain with the Almighty?

In this episode, we’ll explore the life of Jephthah, an outcast warrior chosen by God, who made a tragic vow that changed his family forever. His story raises deep questions: Should we make vows to God? What do we do when we’ve made one we can’t—or shouldn’t—keep? And how do we know if we’re walking by faith or leaning on our own understanding?

We’ll see that Jephthah’s story isn’t just about one man’s mistake—it’s a call for us all to know God’s Word, trust His Spirit, and walk in grace rather than fear.

Let’s get started.

📄 Episode Notes

Summary:
In this episode, we explore the life of Jephthah, a rejected man chosen by God to lead Israel. We follow his rise to leadership and the tragic vow he makes before battle—a vow that costs him dearly. This episode unpacks what the Bible says about vows, spiritual desperation, and trusting God’s promises. Through Jephthah’s story, we’re reminded that knowing God’s Word and relying on His Spirit are essential for wise, faithful living.

Key Themes:

• God uses those the world rejects.
• Making vows to God: biblical guidance and spiritual caution.
• The danger of spiritual ignorance.
• Trusting the Spirit vs. negotiating with God.
• Walking in wisdom: Scripture and Spirit together.

Key Scriptures:

• Judges 11:1–39
• Psalm 27:10
• Leviticus 27:1–8
• Matthew 22:29

Takeaway:
You don’t need to bargain with God for His help—you need to trust Him. Know His Word. Walk in His Spirit. And remember, God doesn’t ask for desperate vows; He asks for surrendered hearts.

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To listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

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In today’s episode, titled “When the Lord Gets Fed Up with People,” we explore a sobering but ultimately hope-filled chapter in the book of Judges. Have you ever wondered if God gets tired of forgiving people who keep making the same mistakes? In Judges 10, we see a people caught in the destructive cycle of sin—and a God whose mercy runs deeper than their rebellion.

This chapter doesn't just show us the consequences of sin; it reveals the astonishing heart of God. Even when His people have broken faith again and again, we read that “His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel.” What kind of God responds like that?

Today’s message will challenge, convict, and comfort you. Whether you're feeling distant from God or weighed down by your failures, this passage offers a profound reminder: your misery can still stir God’s mercy.

📖 Episode Notes

Title: When the Lord Gets Fed Up with People
Scripture: Judges 10:1–18
Themes:

• The cycle of sin → slavery → supplication → salvation
• God’s righteous anger vs. His tender mercy
• The nature of true repentance
• Grace and mercy for the miserable and the wandering

Key Verse:

Takeaway:
When we drift from God, He may allow us to feel the weight of our choices. But when we turn back, His mercy meets us there—not because we deserve it, but because that's who He is.

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To listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

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Welcome to Part Two of this Double-Header Episode.

We continue are look at the life and downfall of Abimelech, a ruthless leader who seized power through treachery and ruled with oppression. Judges 9 presents a cautionary tale of ambition unchecked by wisdom and morality, showing us the consequences of leadership driven by self-interest rather than godly stewardship.

Episode Notes

In this episode, we explore key themes from Abimelech’s story, including:

• The Dangers of Self-Appointed Leadership – Abimelech’s rise to power through deception and violence.
• The Role of Divine Justice – How God’s judgment unfolds even amid human wickedness.
• Lessons on Influence and Authority – What we can learn from the tragic end of Abimelech’s reign.

We’ll reflect on how this passage that warns us against manipulative behaviour particularly in leadership and reminds us of God's sovereignty in holding rulers accountable. Join me as we discuss how these lessons apply today, whether in leadership, faith, or personal integrity.

Support the show

To listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|Patreon

Support me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.
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