Samson's Lost Legacy

Read Judges 13-16
 
FEW accounts in the Bible are as tragic as Samson’s life. As we wondered about Jephthah’s senseless vow, why would Samson, a man of so many faults, be mentioned among the honorable in Hebrews 11:32?
   In truth, you can ask the question of Israel. Why does the Bible refer to this disobedient nation who continually surrendered to temptation as God’s chosen people? Of course, it is because they are. Yet, this nation God formed to himself grew away from God’s power and purpose. Samson’s life could have been God’s way to show Israel its own broken relationship with God.
   The first way we can see Samson as the image of Israel is that he was set apart before birth: “The boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from  birth.” Samson, though, rejected the LORD’s consecration on his life. He was a man of the world and became a distasteful object of ridicule among the Israelites. In a like manner, God chose Israel long before it was born. Then his people became a weak object of ridicule among the nations.
   The second way Samson illustrated Israel is the way he  rejected his parents’ faith legacy. Samson’s parents were devout Israelites, who sought the Lord. How simple and faithful is this prayer: “Teach us what we shall do unto the child” (Judges 13:8). Samson’s father was persistent to seek the Lord’s directive. Judges 13:12 So Manoah asked (the Angel of the LORD), “When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule for the boy’s life and work?” He is expectant and submissive to the LORD’s answer.
   Samson, though, defied his parents in the same way Israel defied God’s commands. Samson “went down” to the Philistines  – geographically from Israel’s hills to the Philistines seaside country, and he went down spiritually – to seek a wife. He rejected God’s law in Exodus 34:16, forbidding Israel to marry foreign women. His disobedience continued with his rejection of the fifth commandment, dishonoring his parents. How tragic to witness God’s chosen servant so severely abuse God’s righteous commands.
   The third way Samson illustrated Israel was the way he defiled his body. His astounding strength became a means to display his arrogant, selfish heart, not a selfless service to God’s power. He engaged in immoral sex. He played with people’s emotions. Samson rejected each of his Nazirite vows. Samson’s violence, arrogance and lust destroyed him.    
   Think of how Israel lived within so many visible demonstrations of God’s power as no other nation ever has. Yet, they became arrogant to complain of his leadership, resist his grace and forget his authority. God left Samson and Israel to be destroyed by their enemies. Yes, Samson’s final act caused great destruction. But it did not defeat and remove the Philistines from Canaan.  
   Fourth, Samson’s blindness also illustrated Israel’s decline. Samson’s life is a pattern of his arrogance and strength leading not to peace in Israel but to conflict. Yes, the Spirit of God occasionally came upon Samson to use his strength to defeat the Philistines. But these events occurred in very limited occasions. Remember, God’s purpose for Samson was to begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines. (Judges 13:5b). Samson’s supernatural strength was a sure sign God’s power was at work in him to complete that purpose. But Samson misused the gift’s purpose. Samson lived for his own selfish desires and vengeful purposes, not for God’s glory.
          How is God’s power is your life? Be humble. Use God’s gifts to the full extent to do his will on earth.