If you grew up going to Sunday School, most likely you grew up familiar with the story of Samson. It seems to be one of those stories that appears to grab the attention of small children – perhaps because of Samson’s sort of super-human strength. While the story is taught, it is often done in an abridged sort of way – which is understandably so.
Samson was born to parents who were unable to have children. We learn that a man appears to his mother to let her know she would become pregnant. The mother tells her husband and together they pray that the man would come again to give them more details. Their prayers are answered and the faith of Samson’s parents is demonstrated. “So Manoah (Samson’s father) asked him, “When your words come true, what kind of rules should govern the boy’s life and work?” (Judges13:12)
Samson’s parents ask the name of the man who had spoken of this upcoming miracle, only to learn that they had been in the presence not of a man, but an angel of the LORD. Manoah and his wife gave honor to the LORD through burnt sacrifice and by following the instructions for how to raise their child.
“When her son was born, she named him Samson. And the LORD blessed him as he grew up. And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him…” (Judges 13:24-25a)
From this point on in the story of Samson, we hear a common theme over and over again. “The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him.” Honestly, Samson seems to be best described as a “hot mess.” While brought up differently than his peers (the long uncut hair, no wine, not even grapes or raisins to eat), Samson seems to be excelling in brute strength, raging in lust and hormones, and lacking common sense.
And yet, with all this in mind, God continues to use Samson – choosing Samson – to do mighty things and be used in powerful ways. How? Every time a piece of the story changes – with the exception of his hair being cut – the Spirit of the LORD comes powerfully upon him. It’s less about Samson and more about God.
Samson’s story, while certainly not new to me, led me to a few new insights this time through. First, I am not sure that I had ever realized or thought about the motivation behind Delilah’s betrayal. I’ve always wondered how she could turn over her lover or take such risks doing so with a man who had such strength but seems so volatile. Delilah was a Philistine. Her people hated Samson. He was a threat they could not control. Time and again he was impacting their community and their fear and hatred were at an all-time high. So great, in fact, that the town’s leaders approached Delilah and each offered her 1,100 pieces of silver. Don’t miss that. They each offered her significant wealth. She, a woman, would be offered more wealth than she would ever need. For perspective, it occurred to me, her betrayal of her somewhat crazy lover came with a price tag of 1,100 times a number of town leaders, while several hundred years later, the Son of God would be betrayed for only 30.
They wanted him dead.
The second take away was around the power of nagging. Friends, Samson had no desire or plan to reveal the secret of his strength to his lover. He continued to time and again give her false information as to how he could be contained. Time and again she would try it, and time and again she was made to look foolish. Why didn’t Samson leave? Did he not notice her ploy? For whatever reason Samson stays by Delilah’s side and her nagging escalates. Eventually her nagging wins the day, and this man of supernatural strength gives away his secret which leads to his downfall.
May we never allow the nagging of others to lead to abandoning the gifts God has given us!
Friend, at this point God removes his hand from Samson, but I want to make this very clear, God has not written Samson off. Samson’s strength is gone. His eyes have been gouged out. Samson has been taunted and ridiculed. He has been forced to work like a mule grinding grain, but God waits. He waits until Samson calls out to Him. And God hears his cry. “Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes…” “He prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his lifetime.” (Judges 16: 28, 30)
God always hears our cries to Him. Even when we have blown it, our sins do not get the final say. All we need to do is turn back to Him. He is the God of second chances.
LORD, may we make every effort to live lives that bring you honor and glory. For the times that we begin to stray, would you please bring us back to a place of right living and stir within us a passion for you? We ask that whatever situations or circumstances arise in our lives that we would remember that your Spirit is available to come powerfully upon us. Give us the strength, wisdom, and discernment we need to live in obedience to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings!