Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 12-14 CEB, Ch. 15-16 HCSB

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Thoughts

How do you view Samson? What do you think of him, as a man? He certainly had a weakness for women, didn’t he? Of course, he was strong. Probably the strongest man who ever lived. 

He was born a Nazarite, which means he was to be set apart for God. He was not to drink wine or any fruit of the vine. Also, he was not to go near or touch a dead body, animal or human. And then there was the hair. He was not to cut his hair. To be set apart for God meant that he was supposed to  serve God in a special way. He was to be the one to deliver the Israelite people from their Philistine bondage.

But of course, it didn’t happen because he did not life a life separated for God. He let his lust for the Philistine women take over his life. He was compromised more than once. And the last time led to his death.

Sin is like quicksand, isn’t it? The more you allow yourself to play in it, the deeper you get. Until you find that there is no way out, aside from God reaching down and pulling you free. In Samson’s case, after his physical eyes had been gouged out (he had been spiritually blind for a long time before this) and he was in the temple of Dagon, he cried out to God to give him strength one more time. God heard his prayer, and he brought the temple down on 3,000 Philistines, and himself. This act was a big part in bringing their defeat at Mizpah about 100 years later. So Samson’s purpose was accomplished.

And it is worth noting that Samson is listed in Hebrews 11 in the Hall of Faith, along with Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, David and many others. Every one of them certainly had faults, but they had faith, and God accomplished great things through them.

One lesson we can learn from Samson’s story is that God will accomplish His purpose, and many times, he uses people do it. And people are not perfect. All God needs is someone who is willing to let God work through them. 

Are you willing?