In Judges 13:24-25 we get Samson’s first appearance:
24 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, 25 and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
We later read in Judges 14:6:
6 The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done.
Which is followed by Judges 15:14 which tells us that “The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands.”
Why did you focus on these three passages?
There is something in common in all three – the Spirit of the Lord was moving. From his birth, the Spirit of Lord was stirring. At any point Samson appeared to pull off superhuman feats, we should acknowledge that it is the Spirit of the Lord moving in him. Throughout Samson’s life, it was clear to see that, in him being a Nazarite, he gained access to a greater spiritual power than that of an ordinary man. Let’s really think about this guy. He grabbed the jawbone of a donkey…and then went and killed a thousand men with it. I mean, come on. He used the jawbone. Of a donkey. A DONKEY!
Wow. I wish I had that kind of access. I’d start playing American football. I’d be a big problem. Sigh, I guess I can only dream.
Not to say that we will all be able to become American football stars, but all believers do in fact have access to the same Spirit that empowered Samson. God may not have called you to the same Nazarite vows, but we, as Christians, are called to be set apart for God and to live lives that are truly sanctified. Though, it works both ways. If we lose our uniqueness as children of God, we lose our access.
Losing our uniqueness. Through what exactly?
Well, it could be lots of things. Surrounding yourself with the wrong people. Engaging in unnecessary conversation (Titus 3:9, 2 Timothy 2:23 and Proverbs 26:4). Making poor decisions about how you use your time. Even on the more physical side, not looking after your body can be a way to lose your uniqueness.
Wait, what does my fitness have to do with my faith?
Not a lot, but it does play a part. Hear me out. Our physical condition does have an impact on our ability to think clearly and function well. Whether that is while you’re playing netball, or while you’re studying the word, our physical condition can have an impact on our energy levels and desire.
To be honest, after Weekend Away, I’ve realised even if I truly do want to listen and learn, if I neglect my body and not give it what it needs, that being sleep in this case, I am probably going to end up at the back, “resting my eyes”.
As Children of God, we need to commit to living a life that is set apart, or we’ll end up like Samson with our head in one Delilah’s lap with our hair being shaved. The story of Samson is not one of of a man who was tricked by a seductress, as much as your parents may want to tell you, but rather a man who compromised.
All it takes is a few compromises here and there, and suddenly you are living a life that no longer reflects the presence of God.
Okay, but all Samson did was compromise once, with Delilah.
I wish that was true.
Judges 14:1-2 : Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”
Samson’s first compromise came with his choice of a bride. The only problem with this woman was that she was from the enemy. She was a Philistine. More importantly, the Lord had warned with people not to intermarry with the surrounding nations because they didn’t worship the one true God (Deuteronomy 7:1-3). To do so was the same as establishing a covenant with another god.
If this was today, someone may say that Samson started going from being in the world to being of the world. I always think of the boat analogy – a boat is supposed to be in water without water being in the boat. If the water were to get in the boat, and continue getting in the boat, the boat would sink.
When we build our standards not only on the word but rather choosing to focus also on culture and societal pressure, we begin losing sight of God and His power in our lives, just as Samson did. Of course, Samson didn’t immediately lose his power by marrying the Philistine woman, but this compromise started him down the path to an even greater compromise which may prove fatal.
So, Samson has seen a beautiful woman, and has told his parents that he wants to marry her. Yes, she was an enemy and God had told them not to marry foreigners. Yes, his parents advised him not to do it. But come on, he’s Samson and the girl looked good to him, so he told his parents once again, “Get her for me”.
And so, Samson and his father have gone down to meet her, and Samson made a feast there “for the young men customarily did this.” When they saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him.
12 Then Samson said to them, “Let me now propound a riddle to you; if you will indeed tell it to me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen wraps and thirty changes of clothes.13 But if you are unable to tell me, then you shall give me thirty linen wraps and thirty changes of clothes.” And they said to him, “Propound your riddle, that we may hear it.”14 So he said to them,
“Out of the eater came something to eat,
And out of the strong came something sweet.”
But they could not tell the riddle in three days.
15 Then it came about on the fourth day that they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband, so that he will tell us the riddle, or we will burn you and your father’s house with fire. Have you invited us to impoverish us? Is this not so?” (Judges 14:12-15)
This may have started as a bit of fun for Samson, but suddenly, it turned to something much greater than that.
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