Monday, 28 January 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Samson

The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son… the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” Judges 13:3 & 5 

Not many people have their birth announced by an angel… there’s Jesus, John the Baptist and Samson! Samson’s a strange addition to the list! Each has in common God’s desire to bring deliverance for his people.

The only catch here was that Samson was to be a Nazirite, vowing to: (1) touch no unclean thing; (2) drink no wine or fermented drink; and (3) never cut his hair.

Tuesday, 29 January 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Samson

Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 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.” Judges 14:1-2

You don’t get the impression that Samson knew anything about this young Philistine woman beyond the way she looked. I would be very surprised if he’d even spoken to her! His desire for her to be his wife was pure lustful infatuation.

Throughout his life, it was Samson’s impulsive behavior (acting without thinking) that kept on getting him into trouble.

Wednesday, 30 January 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Samson

As Samson approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. Judges 14:5-6

Whenever I read the story of Samson I end up picturing him as a long haired version of Vin Diesel or Gerard Butler as he tears apart a lion and later kills a thousand men with a donkey’s jawbone…!!!

But what these verses and the many others like them from Samson’s life reveal is that it was the Spirit of the Lord that gave Samson his awesome physical power and presence.

Thursday, 31 January 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Samson

Some time later, when he went back to marry her, he turned aside to look at the lion’s carcass. In it was a swarm of bees and some honey, which he scooped out with his hands and ate as he went along. Judges 14:8-9

Samson was a mighty warrior and a seemingly invincible fighter, yet this physical strength wasn’t matched by his character. Curiosity seems to get the better of him and he takes a detour to look at the lion he killed. He is tempted by the honey within its carcass and gives in to temptation without a fight.

His first Nazirite vow is broken.

Friday, 01 February 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Samson

Now Samson’s father went down to see the woman. And Samson made a feast there, as was customary for bridegrooms. Judges 14:10

Jewish wedding feasts in the OT used to last seven days. There was lots of celebration, entertainment, food and wine. We don’t know for sure, as the Biblical text doesn’t say, but given what we know of Samson’s character and how his strength later leaves him, we can assume he gave into temptation and joined in with the wine drinking.

His second Nazirite vow is broken.

Saturday, 02 February 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Samson

Then Delilah said to Samson, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your strength.” With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. Judges 16:15-16

Samson’s hair was linked to his final Nazirite vow. Breaking this third vow (as symbolised by the cutting of his hair) is what caused his strength to leave him.

God keeps his promises and he asks us to do the same. Samson’s character just wasn’t up for this task and God’s empowering left him.

Sunday, 03 February 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Samson

Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “O Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more…” Judges 16:27-28

The ‘Spirit of the Lord’ came upon Samson many times during his life, empowering him for amazing feats of physical strength. But verse 28 is the only recorded time where Samson speaks to God or about God. Regardless of this, God chose to keep empowering Samson, however, imagine if Samson had chatted with God about the decisions he made how differently it could have turned out.