Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Judges 16:28 (Chapters 13-16)
Samson was a maverick judge, set apart by God from the moment of his conception. But, his story is one of dysfunctional relationships with pagan women and revenge against his enemies. He was given great power to conquer the Philistine oppressors of Israel, but by his reckless and disrespectful behavior, he lost his power and connection to God.
This man that could slay lions barehanded and catch foxes, tie their tails together and light them on fire to avenge a wrong then kill 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey, was brought to total enslavement when his eyes were gouged out and he was harnessed to a prison mill like an animal. All because his carnal instincts drove him instead of God.
The Philistines were an advanced civilization along the Mediterranean Sea and were moving inland by means of infiltration rather than war. They worshiped the god Dagon. Samson was brought up from his pit as part of an entertainment in Dagon’s temple. As his last earthly act, he cried out to God to return his strength and he pushed the temple’s columns down, killing himself and thousands of others.
Over and over, Israel tried to use God for their own ends, instead of being a truly covenant nation with God as their sovereign. It is only by acknowledging God, and His choices and values, that He acts. Trying to control the Creator of the universes is folly. It is in submission that we gain everything.
Love,
Gretchen