As I study the book of Judges, I’ve arrived at the story of Samson. Though we know the story of him and Delilah, Samson had dysfunctional patterns long before he met her. What principles can we learn from a classic Bible story? Though we may live in a modern world, Biblical truths never expire.
First, Samson was a miracle baby. His mother and father had no children, then a messenger from God appeared to Samson’s mother. She’s told her son is to grow up as a Nazarite, living a life completely devoted to God. Yet, when Samson’s an adult, he sees a Philistine woman and tells his parents, “Go get her because she’s right in my eyes.”
While the Bible says God used this situation since the Philistines ruled over Israel, I wonder did Samson’s parents dote on him as a child. Is it possible he got everything he wanted because they always wanted a baby? Did they spoil him so much that they gave in to what he wanted instead of what pleased God? What’s the lesson here? I’d say don’t spoil your miracle. Meaning, don’t put your blessings on a pedestal that you override God’s Word.
Second, Samson intermarried with a Philistine woman. We’ve discussed this before about not being “unequally yoked with unbelievers,” but what came to mind in these verses as I read them again, Samson’s wife badgered him to tell her the meaning behind his riddle. The Philistines wanted to know, and they convinced her to ask Samson. She kept asking that he finally gave in. We even see this when he meets Delilah, how she manipulated him into telling her the secret to his strength.
Sounds like the same woman, but their names are different. The lesson here? Are you dating a pattern like Samson? Is the person you’re dating causing you to give in? Are you being enticed to go astray? Ever asked “why do I keep dating the same type of person?” It’s a pattern you have to break. If they truly cared about you, they wouldn’t manipulate you. They wouldn’t push your boundaries. They wouldn’t use your past against you. So be careful who you share your heart with.
Third, Samson’s physical strength didn’t mean his character was strong. We see throughout his story that he didn’t fully live up to his calling. While God used him to defeat his enemies when they attacked, Samson’s private life was another story. Lesson?
Do your private and public life match? Do you read your Bible daily or only at church? Do you only post scriptures on social media, but in real life, your mouth and character are foul? Yes, we’re human and fall short of God’s glory, but there is a difference between habitually sinning and missing the mark. What’s your lifestyle? Reflecting Christ or your flesh, thinking God understands. If you think God is okay with your conformity to this sinful world, you’re wrong as Samson was.
Last, we know Samson killed more Philistines during his death than he did in his lifetime. We know the story, right? Delilah tells his secret. His enemies gouged out his eyes, and he’s imprisoned. In that time of regret, Samson cried out to God. His hair grew back. Despite his mistakes, God strengthened him one last time. The lesson?
Even when we fall in sin or get into the wrong relationships, we can still cry out to the father. There’s no sin so deep that the blood of Jesus can’t wash away. Don’t let condemnation keep you from coming back to Him. That’s the lie Satan wants us to believe. We’ve gone too far. There’s no way God will forgive us. It’s a lie, my friends. Come back home. He’s waiting for you!
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Written by Daria White Osah
You can find Daria Here:
Devotional https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Younger-Me-Devotional-Personal-ebook/dp/B09QRKBRGB/
Her podcast Single Plus https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/singleplus & on Instagram @mysingleplus
