Samson?

Judges 13-16
 
A “?” is on this lesson title because few accounts in the Bible are as tragic as Samson’s. In fact, his story is the opposite of all Bible “heroes”. Instead of receiving God’s call to move faithfully forward in the LORD’s power and purpose, Samson is called before his birth, and then his life becomes a tragic display of sin’s death. Yes, Samson? Why would he be mentioned among the honorable in Hebrews 11:32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets.
    In essence, you can ask the same of Israel. As a nation, it grew away from, instead of into, God’s power and purpose. But we know God used this disobedient nation for his glory. Perhaps there is a way he used Samson in a like manner. In fact, one teaching I’ve heard points to Samson’s life as an illustration of Israel’s broken relationship with God. Let’s begin here and in the next three lessons to learn how Samson illustrates Israel. And we’ll work to answer, “Why Samson?”
    First, note Samson is set apart before his birth. Judges 13:5
“because you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because 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.”  The Nazirite law In Numbers 6 directs a mother to dedicate her son as a Nazirite for a time. A man was not required to this vow for a lifetime. Samson was.
    Samson, though, rejected the LORD’s consecration on his life. He became a distasteful object of ridicule among the Israelites, instead of a display of God’s order, love and mercy.
    Israel, too, was set apart to be God’s people before they were “born”. As we know, God made eternal covenants with the patriarchs to form a nation to bless the world. He dedicated Israel to himself. Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Israel even vowed they would follow all the laws. But we know they rejected God’s consecration. As the Old Testament story moves forward,  Israel became a weak object of ridicule among the nations. Their sins stole away their opportunity to display God’s order, love and mercy.
    Perhaps Samson is in Hebrews 11 because he is one whom God had chosen. As a Christian you are set apart to a faith life: 1 Corinthians 6:11b But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Note the apostle Peter’s words here. He certainly came to know the power of being set apart for God’s grace, mercy and love. I pray you do, too.
 
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.