Tag: Samson

When Strength Fails:

The Seduction, Humiliation, and Redemption of Samson

Brent Pollard

Samson’s story is both tragic and compelling. God predestined Samson to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Philistines, naming him a Nazarite before his conception. Despite his unimaginable strength, this judge succumbed to his desires, particularly his attraction to Philistine women. Samson was enticed, degraded, and finally felt a deep sense of reclaiming himself. The story of Samson’s descent and ultimate resilience is a powerful reminder that grace can lift us back up no matter how deep our struggles are.

Seduced by the Enemy (Judges 16.1-20)

Samson’s decline was not a sudden event but a gradual unraveling of his sense of purpose. Samson consistently broke his promises despite his dedication as a Nazirite, chosen for divine purpose. He became involved with three Philistine women: his wife from Timnah (Judges 14), a woman of ill repute from Gaza (Judges 16.1), and Delilah (Judges 16.4). It was with Delilah that he met his downfall. Despite her undeniable loyalty to the Philistines and her persistent efforts to unravel the mystery of his power, Samson eventually succumbed:

“So he told her all that was in his heart…” (Judges 16.17 NASB95)

In that moment of revealing his truth, Samson gave up his secret and the essence of his power. His assailants apprehended him, blinded him, and imprisoned him within that darkness. Samson learned that temptation rarely announces itself as destructive. Likewise, we gradually forfeit our strength and clarity when we flirt with sin. Samson lost his power because he gave his heart to the wrong person, a lesson that still resonates today and underscores the importance of discernment in our lives. However, the consequences of his misplaced trust would go far beyond losing his strength, plunging him into literal and spiritual darkness.

Humiliated by His Choices (Judges 16.21–25)

With his vision and power removed, Samson became a captive, grinding grain in a Philistine prison. However, his degradation reached new heights when the Philistines paraded him before the crowd at a festival, reveling in their mockery.

“Call for Samson, that he may amuse us.” (Judges 16.25 NASB95)

This summons wasn’t just to satisfy curiosity. The Hebrew term translated as “make sport” in the KJV conveys connotations of mockery, contempt, and possibly even sexual humiliation. This latter possibility is reflected in Potiphar’s wife’s use of this Hebrew word as she falsely accuses Joseph of attempted rape. She said Joseph was trying “to make sport of us” (Genesis 39.14 NASB). Given Samson’s infamous history with Philistine women, one can imagine their scornful laughter at his abasement, viewing it as appropriate retribution: the great warrior of Israel brought low, not by a clash of arms, but by the tender yet treacherous nature of love. In a tragic turn of events, Samson was reduced to a mere trophy, displayed to entertain a reveling crowd who joyfully worshipped their deity, Dagon.

Public transgressions frequently cause public shame. When reality reveals the consequences, what once thrilled us in solitude may become a source of scorn. Regardless of their disgrace, the Lord does not abandon repentant people. And it was only in the depths of his humiliation, chained between the pillars of the Philistine temple, that Samson realized this truth for himself.

Redeemed by Grace (Judges 16.26–30)

Blind, broken, and mocked—Samson finally cried out to God:

“O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time…” (Judges 16.28 NASB95)

This prayer signified a watershed moment. In a moment of deep reflection, Samson summoned the courage to bow before the divine, shedding the burden of his former pride. In a moment of divine intervention, God answered Samson’s plea, and with a surge of newfound power, he toppled Dagon’s temple, taking more lives in his final act than he had throughout his entire life (Judges 16.30). This act of destruction was not a sign of Samson’s fall but a testament to his resilience. Despite his journey ending prematurely, it reached a pinnacle of resilience and spiritual strength. In Hebrews 11.32, Samson is among the revered figures honored for their unwavering faith.

Samson’s redemption journey powerfully reminds us that even broken people can still serve a purpose. He is not the God of flawless credentials but of contrite souls. When we return to Him, He can renew us even after stumbling.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Samson’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of succumbing to temptation and offers hope for redemption. His seduction and disgrace were undeniable, but his redemption was also evident. If you’ve felt you’ve stumbled through missteps, struggles, broken connections, or poor choices, know that your journey is far from over. There is a God who hears the cries of the weary and offers a hand of hope for redemption.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12.9 NASB95)

How To Refrain From Anger

Dale Pollard

Psalm 37.8

“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.”  Almost every word in this practical passage can provide even more helpful insight— so let’s dissect some of them!

Refrain: 

“sink down, to let drop, to abandon, to be quiet”

These are the steps that must be taken in order to avoid the damage that is certain to follow if ignored. 

Anger: 

“to blow through the nostrils”

This is the kind of anger that dulls the sensible mind. The choices (words/actions) made under the influence of anger are the just the beginning of coming destruction.  

And: 

There’s anger and there’s wrath. Anger can easily bring forth wrath. The command is to avoid that which makes you flare the nostrils as the natural progression of anger is escalation, referred to as wrath. 

Forsake:

 “to let loose, leave behind”

Drop it. Let it go. Do what needs to be done so that the command to “forsake” can be carried out. Leave, breathe, pray, reevaluate. Do it quickly and do it each time so that it becomes instinctual. 

Wrath: 

“hot displeasure, heat, rage, poison (as that which burns the bowels)” 

The Absolutes of Wrath 

  1. Our wrath gets us in trouble when we think we are the owners of it (1 Sam. 28:18)
  2. The answer to wrath is humility (2 Chron. 12.7). 
  3. Our wrath is based in ignorance (2 Chron. 34.21). 
  4. If you’re consumed by your own wrath, you’ll be eaten alive twice (Ps. 21.9). 
  • Eaten by your own & 
  • Consumed by God’s 

Fret not:

“to kindle, heat oneself in vexation, to begin burning, to grow warmer”

Tends only: 

“a one way path, the most likely outcome”

The phrase “tends only” shows up in Judges 16 where Samson asks God to grant him one final request. This helps us see how the word can mean a “one way path.” 

“Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” – Judges 16:28 

Psalm 37.8 is telling us that human wrath is a path that can only lead to one end— evil. 

Evil doing: 

“shattered, broken in pieces”

Old Hebrew is a pictorial language and looking into a biblical word can really make a passage come to life. It doesn’t take any stretching of the imagination to see how “shattered” and “broken” so accurately describes the end result of “evil doing.” Evil is that which breaks and destroys our lives and the lives of others. The consequences are devastating but thankfully God is our guide to godliness. 

Examining Choices

[Note: With Carl getting married tomorrow, we are pinch-hitting for him this week.]

davesteeves

Dave Steeves

Choices. We all make them, some good, some bad, and if you’re anything like me, it seems sometimes we make  more bad than good.

In the book of Judges, we see some of the choices Samson made. It is clearly understood that Samson was set-apart by God before he was even conceived. You see, God had plans for Sampson. He was to be a Nazirite, meaning he would not drink wine or any other fermented drink. He could not make himself ceremonially unclean by coming in contact with a dead body. His head was also not to be touched by a razor.

Not only did Samson touch a dead animal but he ate honey from the lion’s carcass. Not long after that he threw a feast in a vineyard of all places. And to top it all off, he tells his wife the secret to his great strength is in his hair so she has his head shaved, breaking yet another Nazarite Vow.

Clearly, these are all bad choices that should’ve been evident to him. But, even though Sampson had broken these vows and would end up in chains because of them, God was able to use him. Samson delivered a mighty blow when he brought down the temple killing the Philistine rulers and himself.

You see, Samson was set aside by God but was still just a sinful human, not perfect by anyone’s standards. We too are sinful and set aside by God for a purpose. That purpose is to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). Matthew 28:19 tells us,  “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.”
This instruction is given to all believers. If you are a Christian, this responsibility is yours, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Our responsibility as Christians never stops. As long as we have breath in us we are to spread the good news. I am sure that some will say that God cannot use them, that they consider ourselves unworthy or unqualified.
Well guess what? God can and will use us in ways we can’t imagine. God will use each and everyone of us to further his kingdom if we just allow his will to be done in our lives. If we rely on our own strength we will fail, but if we trust in God and his strength we can’t fail. His promises are steadfast and never ceasing. All we have to do is trust in him and we can all do great things.

We read in Isaiah 41:10:  “So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God‘s strength is available to all of us right now. I urge all of us  to take a look inside ourselves. Are we committed to the work of being a Christian? And if we aren’t, why not?
God is with us, ready and willing.  Won’t you let your loving father use you today? Allow Him to work through you to complete His good work. I can think of any no greater honor than to have God‘s will done in my life. Let’s make the choice!

steeves



 

 

Tearing Lions And Toeing Lines

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

image

Dale Pollard

He wore a name we know well but accomplished the will of a Name we know better. Samson the judge was the man who dropped a thousand Philistines with a jawbone while dropping the jaws of those who would read these accounts years later.
In Judges 13 through 16 we find the awesome, yet tragic life of the strongest man who ever walked the earth. From the moment of his miraculous conception to those dramatic moments between the pillars, he captivates our imagination. Some tend to idolize his prowess as a warrior and rebel, but the real lessons we can learn from Samson can be appreciated by everyone. What if a mortal human could act in place of God? While impossible, let’s just humor this thought. In a way we get a glimpse of how miserable life would be if we didn’t serve a righteous Lord. When Samson lost his temper, became annoyed, bored, or defiant he would always choose to act in his own self interest. He was empowered by a God he didn’t serve and that is seen time and again in these three chapters. His final act of killing over three thousand Philistines who mocked him in their pagan temple were slain out of revenge (Judges 16:28) and hatred. His eyes had been gauged out and he is led by a servant through a crowd of people who were not even supposed to be living in the same land as the Israelites (Numbers 31:17). In other words, the Philistines were a hole dug by God’s children in the first place. Samson was a tool in God’s hand to relieve His people from the oppression of these ruthless “fish people.”

I’m sure you know many of the accounts from the life of Samson so here are a few things that God intended for us to learn from him.

1. God is infinitely more powerful than His creation (including Samson) and is infinitely more loving and patient than His creation. If Samson had the power of God, his own humanity would provoke him to destroy anyone who irritated or upset him. How many times has God forgiven us and then placed those sins out of His sight? Too many times to count, I’d imagine.
2. God can use the self-seeking people in the world to accomplish His own will. He never lost control of Samson and God hasn’t lost control in the world today.
3. Nothing could make us serve God, even if He paid us a supernatural visit (see Jesus). Samson’s abilities were given to him by the Lord, and yet that wasn’t enough to convince him to dedicate his life to Him. Consider Solomon that was given wisdom in a miraculous way— yet still fell. In the end it comes down to the individual heart, the desire, and the determination to commit ourselves to His service.
4. God’s desire to protect His people is great and His methods are creative. The Israelites could have never dreamed that their savior would be a man like Samson. They were plagued by a race of wicked warriors, but God used one man to turn the tables. When we look at our country today we may think there’s no way that things could be different but let’s not forget how powerful and how creative God is. It doesn’t matter whether or not WE can see a path forward when God has proven that He is more than capable and willing to see us through.

You could ponder over the life of Samson and come up with more great lessons to build your faith. Why not read through Judges 13-16 to remind yourself of God’s control in this world? As a bonus, you’d be treating yourself to one of the most fascinating sections in the Old Testament.

 

So You Have A Sinful Past? (POEM)

 

Neal Pollard

Moses was a murderer, Rahab was a liar,
David was an adulterer and to murder he did conspire,
Gideon and Timothy were timid, Peter a confirmed denier,
Paul wrecked havoc on the church, so full of hate and ire.

God, from time immemorial, has used the earthen vessel,
Sons of thunder or deceivers– like Jacob, who an angel did wrestle.
Just like Abraham and Isaac, very human if chosen and special
Barak, Samson, Jephthah, who with flaws their faith did nestle

From cover to cover, Scripture shows that God works through sinners
Preachers, prophets, kings and elders, saints and great soul-winners
It helps us who would serve today, to be better enders than beginners
To not let sin defeat us, to go from offenders to God defenders

Perhaps you have a sinful past or there’s guilt here in your today
A habit, sin, or weakness, crimes of deeds, thoughts, or what you say
Look back to men and women of old, they willed for they knew The Way
Conquer through Christ your old man, get busy, trust in God and obey!

Peter denying Jesus
Peter denying Christ