Judges 12 - 16

Samson

One of the most enigmatic figures in all of scripture is portrayed in today's reading. Samson was a man promised to his parents and, by extension, Israel, by the angel of the Lord, to deliver Israel from the Philistines. He lived under a Nazirite vow (meaning his hair was not to be cut) and was anointed physically by the Spirit of the Lord as mightily as any person in the Bible. In diametric opposition, Samson was totally consumed with his own desires.  Virtually every act documented in Judges by Samson is something he did for his own benefit. This shows that God can use whoever He wishes to use to accomplish His plan irrespective of the moral and spiritual condition of the person.

No doubt the Samson wreaked havoc among the Philistines, but is was all for personal revenge. He killed to pay off the bet he made about the riddle.  He destroyed the Philistines crops because his father-in-law gave his wife to another man. Then he killed 1000 Philistines when they killed his wife and father-in-law.

After he is betrayed by Delilah and is captured by the Philistines and had his eyes gouged out, he prays to God to "...strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes." (16:28).  While God permitted this and Samson killed 3000 Philistines in this one act, the victory was a shallow one and, at best, a personal one.

Samson reminds me of "convenience Christians." People who want all the good things of God but only for selfish motives.  While God can use these types of people, and sometimes does, they only bring glory to themselves and leave a bitter legacy in their wake.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word