Samson

In the Book of Hebrews, chapter 11, there is the record of names of men and women of great faith, including few names that that may be a surprise to many Christians. God has His reasons even if not everyone understand why, but they are still heros in God's eyes. A few of those names I would like to comment on, but one in particular:

King David name is mention numerous times throughout the Bible, and he is also known as a man after God’s own heart. He also had many wives and all of their names are mentioned, and he also had ten concubines. David had a true passion for God. Unfortunately, there are some who will only remember David for his sin with Bathsheba.

Next is Samuel, a man dedicated to the Lord from birth by his mother Hannah, who had been barren. He lived a life holy unto the Lord, and his hair was never cut. He judged Israel all of his life He was also a prophet, and there is no records of any sin in his life. Yet, his wife is not even mentioned, but he had two sons who became a blemish on his life, because they took bribes and perverted justice. They chose not to follow in the footsteps of their father, who honored the Lord. Therefore, God had Samuel anoint Saul to be Israel's first king, because the people had rejected God's authority. Later on, Samuel secretly anointed a young Shepard-boy to take Saul's place.

Then there is Samson, a man who was chosen from birth to be also a judge over Israel. He had accepted a Nazirite vow, to be holy and set apart for God's service.

Samson grows up being blessed by God. He knew he would be different, because of the things his parent had taught him. Yet, there is no record of the Lord or an angel ever speaking to Samson and telling him what to do; as an angel did for his parent. However, the time came when Samson wanted to move out of his parents house; to get married and have children. It seem that Samson wanted to feel loved by someone special other than by his parents, and to be loved in return just like any other normal man. Unfortunately, he never realized or understood how much God really loved him.

There is nothing in the scripture that indicate that Samson even understood what his vocation entailed; other than to be a deliverer. Maybe he just wanted to be a farmer and have a family of his own. Neither, is there any indication that he had an angry or violent nature, or rebellious as a child. However, when he finally found a women he wanted to marry, he choose a foreigner and that was not pleasing to his parents or to his people. Yet, as offensive as that was to them, it was still the will of God. (Judges 14: 4)

Samson learns of his super strength just before his wedding. But before the honeymoon is over, trouble was brewing and there was strife. He had made a bet with his wife's countrymen, and they in turn threaten her and her father's life, if she didn't help them. Thus she deceives Samson, and betrays his trust. So Samson had to settle the wager seven days into their marriage, and he does it by killing thirty men for their clothing. Tic-off with his wife, Samson leaves her for a while to cool off, but when he return he finds that his father-n-law has given his new bride to another man. Now Samson gets really angry and set fire to the Philistine's wheat fields. Things go from bad to worst. This was not going the way he had hoped or planned for his marriage. And as a result of his foxy actions, his wife and father-n-law were killed by the Philistines. Then some of Samson's own people turned against him too. It seem he was not meant to have the happy life he had hoped.

Samson ruled as a judge over Israel for twenty years. We don’t have much information as to what that implied or what else he did during all those years, other than killing lots of Philistines, and destroying their harvests. He even removed the enemies gate at Gaza, a prophetic picture. Another time Samson called on the Lord when he was thirsty, after killing a thousand men with a jawbone of an donkey, and God provided the water for him. However, near the end of those 20 years, it's mentioned only once of him going to a prostitute in Gaza. There is nothing to indicate that this happened more often, or that this was a routine life style. (Even Judah had sex with Tamar, just one time, when she disguised herself as a prostitute.)

 

Unfortunately, Samson is mostly remembered for the “affair” he had with a beautiful women named Delilah, whom he met a little later, and he fell in love. The Bible does not say Delilah was a prostitute, but she did have a thing for money. Most assume that something sexual also happened while he was with her, but the scriptures does not say. If you read carefully, it only says he was enticed and he deceived her several times. He is also the only man recorded in the Bible, to have ever told a women “I love you”. Unfortunately, out of sheer stupidity and being pestered to death, Samson finally give in and revealed the secret he believes, for his strength. And while he slept on her knees, she had his hair cut off, and we all know the consequences that followed.

However, while in prison Samson had lots of time to think about his life, God, and where he went wrong. His enemies had blinded him, but that was when he really began to see. As time went by his hair grew back, and he asks the Lord to restore His strength. God did, and as a result it was his greatest victory.

Was Samson's life all about sex and killing, as some people think? I don't think so; maybe all he wanted was to love and be loved in return, and serve God's people. True, he put too much emphasis on human love, as most people do, rather than to love and honor God above all. Maybe he was a lonely and frustrated man. Or just got tired of fighting and killing, like King David did when he got older. During Samson's life there were no prophets or righteous role models mentioned for him to follow. Maybe these were the only two incidence of bad behavior in Samson's life. We will never know for sure, but I think there is much we can learn here. I'm not trying to make excuses for Samson, he made some bad choices. He had a special calling on his life, but didn't handle it well. Neither did he have the relationship with Yahweh that he could have had.

However, in the end Samson does calls on the Lord to remember him, just like many others have. Sure, he wanted justice, but he was also willing to give his life for the Lord’s cause. He had the faith to believe God would hear and answer his prayer. Samson saw himself as nothing and God as everything. Therefore, he didn't ask God to spare his life, but for strength to serve Him one last time. God saw and heard more than just his words, He also saw a humbled man. Even with his human weakness and carnal desires, Samson was used and loved by God. It was his faith in God that gave him strength, not just his hair. With the help of the Holy Spirit and God’s grace there were many victories throughout Samson's life, and God vindicated him in the end.

Yes, Samson was a foolish and carnal man at times, who was often lead by his flesh. But his name is still listed in the Hall of Faith, while the names of most prophets were not listed. I believe, Samson is listed not due only to his great strength or faith, but because of the wonderful, awesome and incredible grace of God. The Lord knew Samson long before he was born, and yet God still chose him to display His power and authority, despite those weakness. He was human just like us. How many of us would want to have a book written about our lives; with all our sins and failings exposed for the world to read? Certainly not me. Some of us could make Samson look like a saint compared to what we've done. (Jephthah, who is also listed with Samson in the Hall of Faith, was a judge before Samson, and he was the son of a prostitute, and another unique example of God's grace.)

What legacy will we leave behind? I would not necessarily want to be compared to a Samson, but I do understand human desires and weaknesses. My preference is to be known as a man after God's own heart, a son of God. However, there were certain aspects of Samson's life that were important and prophetic and that will be seen and felt in this next move of God.

The Samson Spirit

"I am uniquely devising a plan of attack toward the enemy. I am raising up a Samson, a multi-membered house, one who disregards most all that men (even Christian men) deem holy. These men's holiness is centered in their consecrated lives toward Me, not in externalism and sacrifice. Their authority is felt at the gate, and even their presence, going through the enemies gates, is felt (shaking). Sometimes these people are merely following their natural lust, and I use them to remove the enemies gates. This is My divine plan for Sodom's destruction, and the removal of various other (otherwise) impenetrable principalities. The Spirit of God goes into the midst of the enemy's camp, in the heart of His consecrated ones, and the Lord reeks havoc. His is something which He (God) is doing, and can NOT be achieved by carnal planning.

I will take the body of Christ to a level deeper. This depth will come by tearing and molding. I will remove part of her, and heal that scar, just to reveal My servants nature. I must reveal My ways to people. Who will listen?”-- prophecy by Sheldon David on August 9, 1998