READ: Judges 15-16; Psalm 144.
Verses chosen for meditation: Judges 16:28 - "macho" Samson.
28 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.”
REFLECT
Samson, an
interesting but not necessary the godliest judge out of all the 12 judges
mentioned in the Book. It is not unusual for many to picture Samson to be a
macho and muscular man due to the stories about the legendary strength in him. Although
filled with his strength, the later account of the chapter (v.19 onwards)
recorded that Samson’s power was overcame when Delilah betrayed him with her
trap. Samson lost his physical power and was subsequently captured by the
Philistines.
In celebration, the Philistines assembled at Gaza,
giving praise to Dagon their god. They decided to call for Samson and have him
“entertained” the crowd. By this time, Samson has already lost his sight, with
his eyes being gouged out, v. 21. He was then humiliated in front of the
jeering crowd. Samson’s humiliation was cruel, but fitting. Truly it was
Samson’s eyes, being the lust of his eyes on several women that got himself
into trouble. Now his enemies mocked him, but he was powerless to do them any harm.
He was once invincible, but now he is in chains.
Helpless as he was, Samson
called on the Lord to return his strength to him once more, in order to revenge
against the Philistines. The Lord answered his prayers. His strength was
restored and with that, he crushed down the pillars in the temple of Dagon and
killed his enemies together with himself. Samson led God’s people to victory over the Philistines where he lost
his own life after 20 years as judge of Israel.
RELATE
Tim Keller in his book “Judges for you”, rightly
pointed out that there are several similarities in the death of Samson and our
Lord Jesus. Both Samson and Jesus were betrayed by someone who acted as a close
friend (Delilah and Judas). Both were
tortured and chained, handed over to the oppressors and were put on public
display to be mocked. Both died with arms outstretched.
However, that there is one crucial difference between the
death of Samson and Jesus. Samson’s end is a picture and a shadow of Jesus’
death. Samson was in the temple of Dagon as a result of his own inability to
live under God’s rule and for His glory. Samson’s downfall was brought about by
his own disobedience. In contrast, our Lord Jesus always lived for His Father’s
glory. He died because of others, that is for you and my disobedience.
Samson’s death only achieved the limited role God had raised
him up for - “to begin the deliverance of Israel “(Judges 13:5). Humanly
speaking, Samson failed totally (at least initially) as a deliverer for the
Israelites. On the other hand, our Lord Jesus ‘plan of salvation was perfect right
from the beginning to the end. Jesus’ death has achieved deliverance “once and
for all”. He is our final Rescuer, Deliverer and Saviour (I Pet 3:18; Heb
10:10). For it is Jesus who said, “It is finished”, final and complete.
This chapter is another testament to God’s faithfulness, as compared to
our unfaithfulness, 2 Tim 2:13. Though we may be unfaithful to Him, as the
Israelites were, still He is faithful to save us and preserve us (1 Thess 5:24) and to forgive us when we seek forgiveness (1 John 1:9). “
REST
Thank You Father that Jesus
is our perfect, faithful and victorious Deliverer and Saviour. He is more than man,
trustworthy and dependable. Therefore, we anchor our hope not in human strength
or schemes, but in-Christ. Help us to be faithful to Jesus, the Alpha and Omega
till the end.
This we pray in His
Name, Amen.
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