Year 7, Day 277: Judges 16

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Samson continues to be a tragic story.  After Samson gets into trouble because of how he treated his wife, Samson goes and is consoled by a prostitute.  He doesn’t really learn. He is simply running around to find that which is right in his own eyes.

Then, Samson meets Delilah.  She tries to get him to tell his secret.  Here’s the thing, though.  Samson clearly doesn’t trust her.  He lies to her several times.  Several times she betrays him.  Clearly this isn’t a relationship founded on mutual respect and trust!  Yet, Samson continues to stay with her.  This is just more proof that Samson continues to what is right in his own eyes.  He’s not interested in thinking, planning, and being logical.  Samson is interested in doing whatever he wants to do in the moment.

Samson is betrayed and captured.  He becomes the laughingstock of the Philistines.  However, God is still planning to use Samson.  As his hair grows back, God’s strength returns to Samson.  In one final act of judgment, Samson reigns down death upon his captors.  Samson’s life ends as rashly as it was lived.

As I read this story, I can’t help but wonder if this is really the life that God desired for Samson.  Did God want Samson to be so impulsive?  Did God want Samson to be this role model?  Did God want Samson’s life to be snuffed out helplessly?

God uses Samson.  God punishes the Philistines through Samson.  But it is such a tragic story.  If anything, I see Samson as proof that God will use us in spite of ourselves.  God gives us free will, knowing that He can work in and through us regardless of what we choose.

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