SAMSON—A FLAWED MAN

Samson, who was the last of Israel’s judges and God’s anointed, was called before birth to be Israel’s deliverer from the Philistines. So, we question how this chosen man of God could have been so blind as to fall for the Philistine, Delilah? 

Scripture tells us that God delivered Israel to their enemy, the Philistines, because they, like the Philistines, worshipped Dagon, the god of grain and his “father,” Baal, the god of fertility, to whom the Israelites sacrificed their children. Why then, would Samson be drawn to Delilah, who worshipped other gods and not the One True God?

Ironically, we live in a Christian nation where, according to LifeWay Research, two-thirds of Americans believe there are many ways to reach Heaven. Despite their beliefs, Jesus clearly stated, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME” (John 14:6).

Samson’s nemesis was his sexual passions. He had a weakness for Philistine women, which drove him into the arms of the alluring Delilah. Under her spell, he fell for her seductive wiles, causing him to reveal that his hair was the secret to his strength. 

Why was his hair an issue? Samson had been consecrated to God’s service by the Nazarite vow. This vow required that the person not consume anything from the grapevine, yet he drank wine at his wedding feast. No razor was to be used on the head (Delilah would cut his hair). And a Nazarite could not go near a dead body or carcass. Samson had killed a lion and when he came by it again, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the lion’s carcass, so he reached in and took the honey, ate it, and took more with him. He flagrantly broke his Nazarite vow, which made him ceremonially unclean, and showed disobedience and a blatant disrespect for God (Numbers 6:5). 

Samson, a prideful and self-assured man, slept peacefully, not knowing that Delilah had betrayed him and cut his hair. The cutting of his hair had severed the true source of his strength—God. He was quickly captured, blinded, and forced to grind grain for his enemies.

One day, Samson was commanded to perform in front of the Philistines in the temple. Though his hair had grown, he called upon God for strength to slay his enemies. God honored Samson’s request, because he had acknowledged God as the source of his strength. Samson brought down the temple of the Philistine god, Dagon, and killed thousands of Philistines (Judges 16:1-31).

Samson had almost unlimited potential to deliver his people from the Philistines, but his sexual yearnings, and his great pride and trust in his own strength, became his undoing (1 John 2:16; Proverbs 16:18). He had been spiritually blind long before his eyes were gouged out (Judges 16:2). 

Sin is not a respecter of persons. Sin seeks out both the godly and the ungodly. The Word tells us that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). All sin is disobedience to God and His Word, especially sexual sin, which has dire and deadly consequences (Judges 16:21). Sin will take us farther than we intended to go. It will hold us longer than we wanted to stay. And it will cost more than we intended to pay. For that reason, we must heed the stern warning: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).  

Samson, a flawed man, had recognized his weaknesses before his death and had turned back to God (Judges 16:28-30). God in His sovereignty used Samson to fulfill His purpose and impede the oppressive actions of the Philistines. Samson’s destruction of the temple of Dagon would become a major factor some 100 years later when Samuel and the children of Israel would bring about the downfall of the Philistines at Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:7-14). 

What lesson can we glean from Samson? Like all of us, before Samson was born, God had a specific plan for his life (Jeremiah 1:5). Unfortunately, Samson’s pride made him believe he could live for God and enjoy life on his terms. In Samson’s case, his lust for women and prostitutes was his ultimate undoing (Judges 16:1).

Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (any object of worship other than God) (Matthew 6:24). In other words, who or what is the master of our soul? We are either totally committed to God or we are committed to this world. There is no in-between, for He said, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).

How do we know if we are cold or hot? To answer, we ask, “Who or what holds first priority in my life?” “Do I pursue God first, or is He an afterthought?” Jesus said to seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Only then are we able to use the gifts and talents He imparted to us that we may serve Him and others. 

Serving is a heart decision and is not for personal accolades or recognition; service to others brings praise to God (I Peter 4:10-11). Through our service and dedication to God, we have the joy of seeing His love working through us and reaching the hearts of people.

We can choose to obey God and use our gifts to serve Him, or we can follow our own dictates? Samson falsely believed he could live a life of compromise by following God while committing sin. But know that God condemns what the world condones.

Joshua said to the people, “If you are unwilling to obey the Lord, then decide today whom you will obey. Will it be the gods of your ancestors beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites here in this land? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 TLB).

We must decide with whom or what we are aligned?” God did not create us to merely exist on earth for the purpose of accumulating things, having fun, and trying to be happy in the daily process of living. We were put here for a purpose and that is to serve God and not our own agenda. 

The world is an unrequited lover wooing us with its seductive ruses, but God’s plan offers greater fulfillment and joy. Therefore, we might ask ourselves, “Am I truly seeking God’s will for my life, or do I have a Samson mindset? God’s plan requires sacrifice, but the rewards bring joy and a peace that far exceeds what the world can offer. 

PRAYER: FATHER, I am grateful that You have a unique plan for my life, so help me know and follow Your plan. If I am spiritually blind to Your truths, open my eyes that I may discern the difference between the world’s version of truth and Your truth. Show me how to serve You and others with my talents and gifts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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