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- Oct 26, 2007
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And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, [so] that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I [have been] a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any [other] man. Judges 16:16-17 KJV
What can we say about Samson? Though he gained a mention in the “Faith Hall of Fame” (Hebrews 11:32), what a messy life he led. The vengeance and violence seemed to be part of his calling as judge (or deliverer) of Israel. But a taste for unsavory women—an unnamed prostitute and Delilah, who may have been from the enemy Philistines—really tars his name.
Today’s scripture encapsulates Samson’s downfall. Hoping to earn twenty-eight pounds of silver offered by Philistine leaders, Delilah nagged Samson to divulge the secret of his superhuman strength. Then she lulled him to sleep, shaved his hair, and derailed his career as protector of Israel.
The man who had been so blessed by God seemed to let that blessing go to his head. Rather than using his gifts for godly things, he too often chose the illicit. Samson apparently thought his God-given strength allowed him to do whatever he pleased.
He was strong. May we never make Samson’s mistake.
Prayer: Lord God, You have blessed me in so many ways. May I always respond with a heart of gratitude and obedience.
What can we say about Samson? Though he gained a mention in the “Faith Hall of Fame” (Hebrews 11:32), what a messy life he led. The vengeance and violence seemed to be part of his calling as judge (or deliverer) of Israel. But a taste for unsavory women—an unnamed prostitute and Delilah, who may have been from the enemy Philistines—really tars his name.
Today’s scripture encapsulates Samson’s downfall. Hoping to earn twenty-eight pounds of silver offered by Philistine leaders, Delilah nagged Samson to divulge the secret of his superhuman strength. Then she lulled him to sleep, shaved his hair, and derailed his career as protector of Israel.
The man who had been so blessed by God seemed to let that blessing go to his head. Rather than using his gifts for godly things, he too often chose the illicit. Samson apparently thought his God-given strength allowed him to do whatever he pleased.
He was strong. May we never make Samson’s mistake.
Prayer: Lord God, You have blessed me in so many ways. May I always respond with a heart of gratitude and obedience.
