Physical Strength, Moral Weakness, and Tragedy.
Judges 16:20 New International Version
Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!”
He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.
Meditation
Samson played games with the Lord, who had given him unrivaled strength in the world. With the jawbone of a donkey, Samson killed one thousand men at Lehi (Judges 15:15). The man could take hold of a huge ancient Gaza city gate—broad, tall, wide, with the latest archaeological estimates of about five metric tons—pull its doors and doorposts out of the wall, put them on his shoulders, and carry them all the way to the top of the hill that overlooks Hebron (16:3). Some commentators suggest a local hill just outside Gaza. However, a literal trek between the two ancient cities would cover roughly 65 kilometers of uphill travel (BibleGateway, footnote). That is the extent of strength Samson packed as a Nazirite from the womb. Only fictional characters have displayed such power.
God gave Samson the unusual strength “to begin delivering” Israel from Philistine oppression (13:5), but his pride and weakness for women led to his downfall and tragic death.
The Judge of Israel for twenty years corrupted himself with unholy relationships with Philistine women, including prostitutes. He disregarded his sacred calling and broke all the restrictions of the Nazirite identity from God (Nu. 6:1-12). He gambled his life with the seductive coziness of Delilah and lost his first battle against the Philistines in a humiliating way—the straw that broke the camel’s back (Judges 16:1-21).
When a gifted person forgets the giver and flaunts his gift as though he owns it, the owner will one day call back the gift and leave the proud, ungrateful beneficiary deflated, humiliated, and humbled. That is how God deals with His wayward gifted, and that defined the life of Judge Samson of Israel for twenty years.
A sad commentary in narrative stands out for every child of God to keep close to heart:
“The Lord had left him, and he did not know” (20).
Samson enjoyed the privileges of his office and gift, forgot the Lord, presumed on His grace, and suffered a humiliating defeat and death when the Lord left him (23-30).
“Like the moon, we borrow our light; and bright as we are when grace shines on us, we are darkness itself when the Sun of righteousness withdraws himself,” (Charles Spurgeon).
May every minister of God hear this and be wise. Likewise, may every politician, financial manager, leader, and administrator at every level hear this. May we also take note and beware of presuming on God’s grace, but give Him all the glory in humble submission to His will and agenda in our lives in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Let Us Pray Together
We repent, O Lord, for taking your gifts for granted and flaunting them like peacocks. We have taken your glory many times and forgotten to lift you as our ability and enabler who deserves all the praise. Help us know our place and get off your seat in our hearts, so that you will have all of us in Christ Jesus. Amen!
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