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"Your talent will get you through the door, but only your character will keep you in the room."

Most people read Judges 16:1-3 as a superhero story of Samson ripping the gates off Gaza. But the geography reveals a darker reality. When you look at the 40-mile uphill "walk of shame" Samson took to Hebron, you see a man fighting for his reputation, not for Israel’s freedom.

In this episode, Dr. Mario Escobedo (Ph.D., Baylor University) reveals why "impressive" miracles aren't always a sign of spiritual health. Learn how to audit your own life: Is your foundation strong enough to carry the weight of your calling?

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📚 STUDY TOOLS & RESOURCES

• Holman Bible Atlas (Print): https://amzn.to/46dCebK
• Holman Bible Atlas (Digital): https://bit.ly/49UHoM3
• Logos Bible Software (60-Day Free Trial): https://bit.ly/49VUeKb
• Samson Series Study Guide: https://www.yourbiblestudymentor.com/bible-study-guide

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💡 BECOME A "SELF-FEEDER"
In-depth Bible study is the most important spiritual habit for a lifetime of growth. Dr. Escobedo is available for Church Workshops to equip your leaders and congregation. Contact us at our website:

https://www.yourbiblestudymentor.com/contact

Does God only care about injustice when it happens to "His people"?

In the ancient world, people believed gods were local patrons with zero authority over their neighbors. If you weren't in their "territory," you were invisible to them. But in this episode, we look at why the prophet Amos shattered that idea by revealing a God whose justice knows no borders.

⚖️ FREE BIBLE STUDY GUIDE: Stop guessing and start growing in your study. Download the 5 Steps to Study Any Passage of the Bible to discover the timeless truths in any text: https://bit.ly/4kspCUh

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Local Deity" myth and why it limited ancient views of justice.
• The "Ethical Jurisdiction" of God: Why He holds everyone accountable.
• The specific case of Moab and Edom (Amos 2:1) and what it reveals about God's nature.
• Sovereignty vs. Religious Preference: Why God doesn't need "permission" to be the Judge.

Key Takeaway: God’s moral standards are not a "members-only" club. Because He is the Creator, He is the rightful Sovereign over all creation. Whether a nation recognizes Him or not, they are operating on His stage, breathing His air, and will ultimately stand before His bench.

About Your Host: Dr. Mario Escobedo is a Bible Study Mentor dedicated to helping individuals move past the surface and find the heart of God’s character in the text.

Connect & Subscribe: If this deep-dive helped you see the Bible with fresh eyes, make sure to follow the show. A full, verse-by-verse series on the Book of Amos is coming soon!

Download the FREE Samson Study Guide mentioned in this episode: https://www.yourbiblestudymentor.com/free-samson-bible-study-guide

In this episode of Your Bible Study Mentor, we walk through Judges 15:9–20 and watch Samson blow a huge opportunity God put right in front of him. Three thousand men from Judah stand before a called, Spirit-empowered judge—and instead of rallying them into battle, Samson stays locked inside his own drama, revenge, and hurt.

We’ll trace:

• How Judah had become so comfortable with Philistine oppression that betrayal felt safer than faith

• Why Samson could see his enemies clearly but completely miss the army God had gathered in front of him

• The tragic way God’s people ended up thinking and acting just like the uncircumcised Philistines

• How our own obsession with “my problems, my pain, my agenda” can blind us to present kingdom opportunities

You’ll be challenged to ask hard questions:
Where am I so consumed with my own mess that I can’t see the people waiting for me to step up and lead?
What opportunities to fight for God’s purposes am I ignoring because I’m stuck in self-protection or self-pity?

Use the free Samson study guide to go deeper into this passage, reflect on your own life, and identify the opportunities God may be placing in front of you right now.

If this episode helps you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves in-depth Bible study and wants to grow in long-term faithfulness to Christ.