Posted by
aurorawatcher on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 2:11:15 PM
“And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.” Hebrews 11:32-34
Samson takes on the narrative size of a demi-god in most people’s minds, but for those who really don’t know the story of his life, it might be a bit of a shock to learn that he was NOT A GOOD MAN.
If you’ve been reading my blog of late, you know I rather enjoy ordinary heroes, but I’m also a fan of the Bad Boys of the Bible. What can I say? I like that the gospel is open even to reprobates like Samson.
Samson was raised to be a special priest of God, but I guess it didn’t take. As a young man, he became like a horse that keeps jumping the fence – a true maverick. He insisted upon choosing his first bride from among the Philistines. It wasn’t that there weren’t Israelite women available for him to marry. He just preferred that Philistine lass over there. I think we could easily apply the title of “spoiled brat” to Samson. He then proceeded to break most of the taboos that constrained the life of a Nazarite. He touched dead bodies, ate honey from their carcasses, engaged in gambling, and found out that his new wife was unfaithful. He divorced her and returned to his family, but continued to visit her (probably for sex) and to play mean, vengeful tricks on the Philistines. God continued to be with him, even as Samson made spoiled demands of God.
I have seen reflections of this sort of Christianity in my own circle of friends. Young Christians particularly seem prone to this idea that they love God, but they aren’t constrained by His conventions. When BJ and I were assistants to the Baptist Student Union director in our mid-20s, we knew quite a few young Christians (I believe they had faith) who were sexually active, went regularly to the campus pub to drink and dance, and talked about how they planned to live with their fiancé prior to marriage, to make sure they were “compatible.” Like Samson, these young folks were fools who wanted to worship God and partake of His blessings, but didn’t want Him to affect their lifestyle all that much. We’re in touch with a few from those days and invariably they’ve gone two ways. Either they are not living a Christian life at all, or they are now doing so and regret their younger folly.
In the way of young men, Samson grew up. The Bible doesn’t give us details of his 20 years as a judge over Israel, but it would seem he judged wisely and fairly during those years. So, what brought him to Gaza in search of a harlot?
We don’t know. I rather think, to use modern terminology, that Samson suffered from addiction. He liked the partying life and, like many addicts today who might spend years sober from their addiction of choice, he felt the itch once more in his middle years.
Whatever the cause, Samson fell very far into debauchery and suffered the consequences. The enemies of Israel, living right next to Israel, had reason to want to know what he knew. The harlot Delilah used Samson’s weakness of character as a means to befuddle and subdue the great hero.
A lot of people want to make something of Samson’s hair. Hair had naught to do with his heroism or his final moments. Hair had naught to do with his strength. Perhaps he believed that it did. It appears that cutting his hair was the last of the Nazarite taboos that Samson had not yet broken, so it’s possible that he believed his strength came from his unshorn locks. In reality, his strength came from God and the favor God shown him – a fact that the Bible illustrates clearly. Perhaps with his hair growing out somewhat, Samson believed himself to be regaining strength, but I think it was more of a timekeeping device. Samson had had time to speak with God in his mind, to reflect on the errors of his ways. He did not leave behind a lifestyle of debauchery the day his eyes were plucked out. No, he reflected in darkness and his final statements show his repentance:
“He called out to the Lord: “Lord God, please remember me. Strengthen me, God, just once more. With one act of vengeance, let me pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.”
Samson took hold of the two middle pillars supporting the temple and leaned against them, one on his right hand and the other on his left.
Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.”
He pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the leaders and all the people in it. And the dead he killed at his death were more than those he had killed in his life.” Judges 16:28-30
In reading the story of Samson, I am often struck by his grandiosity. Samson knew he was a might hero. He expected men to bow and women to swoon and they usually did. He expected God to grant his demands. Yet, on the final day of his life, Samson found humility and faith.
Gone were the physical skills that had brought him such renown. He was simply a blind man relying on God. Samson believed that God could give him strength. He acknowledged (maybe for the first time) that it had always been God’s strength to give. And, in acceptance of his sin-guilt, he was willing to die with his captors, foreshadowing what Christ would do for us.
We think of Samson as a man of works, yet many of his works were evil. Unlike Jacob, who could point to a misguided youth, Samson was not a child when he turned aside to be with Delilah. He was a man, aware of his obligations, responsible for his actions. And, his works were wicked. Yet, in the final moments of his life, Samson finally became a man of faith.
“Lord, here am I. Use me!”