Samson Encourages the Christian
I see the great mercy and goodness of God in the life of Samson. Samson was chosen prior to birth to be a Nazarite unto the Lord. As a Nazarite, Samson was not to cut his hair, or partake of wine for the duration of his vow. His vow was symbolic of his relationship to God.
Samson's life belonged to God and he was given the ministry of a Deliverer in Israel. Israel, through her idolatrous and sinful ways, became enslaved by the Philistines. But the Lord had mercy on His people, and sent a deliverer, Samson, to defeat the enemies of Israel.
Samson began to defeat the Philistines through the supernatural strength given to him by the Lord. Of course, the Philistines, desiring to to slay Samson, sought the source of his incredible strength.
Samson's great strength lay in his uncut hair which had not been cut from birth. However, Samson had a problem, a lust problem, which led to his downfall and eventual bondage. Samson, foolishly and through lust, gave a Philistine woman the secret of his strength. She then shaved his head while he peacefully slept on her lap, which led to the loss of his great strength. The Philistines were then able to capture and imprison Samson. His eyes were gouged out, and, as an ox, he was chained to a grinding stone for the remainder of his life.
Anyone who has drunk deeply of sin can identify with Samson. Sin takes you farther than you ever wanted to go, it keeps you longer than you ever wanted to stay, and it costs you more than you ever wanted to pay.
Samson's Hair Reveals The Grace of God.
Samson's hair began to grow back. Is it an accident that God placed His strength in Samson through his hair? I see in this the great mercy and grace of God. God made a way for Samson to recover himself and fulfill his Nazarite vow. No person could stop Samson's hair from growing, and with the growth of his hair, the favor and strength of God returned to his life. What a great and wonderful God we serve!
The Philistines, wanting to be entertained by a chained and blinded Samson, brought him to their temple. He was then chained to its supporting pillars. Blinded and humbled, he remembered his call and purpose in life. He was called to be a deliver in Israel. Samson then calls to the Lord.
Judges 16:28-30 (NKJV) 28 Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” 29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. 30 Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.
Was Samson A Success?
Samson, in his death, fulfilled his call as a deliver to Israel. Was Samson's life a success? Yes, a resounding success, for in the book of Hebrews, 11th chapter, Samson is named with great men such as David and Samuel, men who finished the race in good standing and received favor from the Lord. Samson, by his faith, is said to have received a good report.
When I read of Samson, I realize nothing can stop my hair from growing back, and like Samson, by the grace of God, I also, will receive a good report. This is the work of the cross, the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Lord Jesus
God bless you,
Jim