Samson

The first few words of the Bible story about Samson and Delilah should pique your interest, given today's headlines.

"Samson went to Gaza." - Judges 16:1

Many Bible stories like this one about Samson are historical in nature. There really was a Samson. He really led Israel for 20 years. But many of these stories also have a prophetic meaning as well. This story about Samson is one of them.

Consider these three words as you recall Samson's story - Samson IS Israel. Those words are featured in a essay written by Edward Greenstein called The Riddle of Samson.

Okay. If Samson IS Israel, how does the story of Samson reflect today's events in the Middle East? We find out in verse 5 of Chapter 16 . . .

"and the lords of the Philistines came to her (Delilah)." - Judges 16:5

It's not surprizing to learn that today's Palestinians are decended from the Philistines.

So now we have two of the players in present-day Gaza identified in this story about Samson - Israel and the Palestinians. But who in today's world is Delilah?

Think about it. Who, in Israel's view, has professed love for Israel but, behind the scenes and away from Israel's presence, has spoken out and acted against it?

That would be US. According to an article in JNS (link below), 'Delilah' is the United States (under its current administration). Really? Is that true? Think about it. The United States condemned the attacks by Hamas on October 7th of last year. But isn't it currently nearing the month of May and we have only recently approved an aid package for our "ally."

We have condemned Israeli leadership, demanded they hold new elections, and Pro-Palestinian protests rage to this very day in this country and very little has been done about them. And we are Israel's best ally? We ARE Delilah!

What exactly did Delilah do to Samson anyway? Didn't she ultimately weaken Samson and act against him? That is just what our government has done.

The US has instructed Israel on how it should deal with Hamas. Didn't Biden and Blinken demand Israel have a ceasefire?

Pelosi, Schumer, are all allied with the Pro-Palestinian movement. Why? It's election season. The Democrats need the Arab vote, especially in Michigan - a swing state. Is any of this starting to make sense yet?

In the end, Delilah and the Philistines lose. May it not be the same in THIS country come November. May Hamas be defeated and may God bless us with new leadership in this country. And who knows. Perhaps Biden came to power in 2020 just for the specific purpose that Israel would fulfill Bible prophesy and stand all by herself, alone.

"On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it." - Zechariah 12:3

Yes, we helped Israel shoot drones and missiles out of the sky last week. But so did Great Britain, France, and even Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

This modern day story isn't over yet. Just remember this as you watch the news. Samson's strength came from God.

Continue to pray for Israel.

Samson Is Israel - JNS

My Delilah

I just got done reading the story of Samson and Delilah. Samson sure was a pitiful character. Kind of a wanty, needy fellow who liked his women and also liked killing Philistines. Everybody has to have a hobby I guess.

He seemed to me to be angry and never satisfied with his life. It was almost as if he was frustrated by it. Do you have times when you feel frustrated with the way things are going? Unsatisfied with the results in life? How do we fix that?

First off, I don't think we should be doing what Samson did. His life was filled with lusts of the flesh and killing. That doesn't seem like what a man, devoted to God since his birth, should be up to.

If we go back through the story I think we can find the problem. I think it was his parents. They weren't strict enough.

"Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”
3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”

But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” - Judges 14:1-3

Pretty demanding for someone devoted to the Lord. He is supposed to honor his father and mother yet he defied their wishes and disobeyed God's command not to marry outside his people. But then we read this . . .

"4 (His parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)" - Judges 14:4

God wanted Samson to do this? Confusing. Another question to ask when I get to heaven.

Later on in Samson's life he meets Delilah. Same song, different verse. Samson fell in love with someone who betrayed him. And that made me stop and reflect. Do I have a Delilah in my life?

It doesn't necessarily have to be a person. Is there something I love doing that distracts me from God's will for my life? What if it's eating things I shouldn't. I am a Type II diabetic. I shouldn't eat sweets, yet I do. We all struggle with things like that. They're called vices or addictions.

It could be gluttony, drinking, drugs, video games, sex, idolatry . . . there's all kinds of things distract us from God, yet we do them. Is that why we get frustrated? Frustrated like Samson did?

Since Adam and Eve Satan has been trying to keep us away from God. We ALL have something that does that for us. What is it in YOUR life? What is YOUR Delilah?

Delilah - Tom Jones

Hi I'm Samson

If you heard the story of Samson in Sunday School chances are you only heard part of it. They probably left out the Lust, Sin, Betrayal, Vengeance, and Death parts. Yeah, we do that to make things all warm and fuzzy, instead of telling the truth.

I just read the story of Samson in my daily reading. You can read it here in the Book of Judges (Chapters 13-16). What struck me most as I read it was the sadness I felt for Samson. His life started off well but then went wrong because of sin.

The interesting thing about Samson was how much like you and me he seems to be. Apart from his super-human strength he really was a lustful, backsliding hypocrite just like me.

Samson started out on the right path in life - devoted to God - but then he met a woman, a prostitute, and things went downhill from there.

How often do we get distracted by sin like Samson did? Too often would be MY guess. We can start out the day with the best intentions but before long we get distracted and fail the very God we profess to have faith in.

Samson's ultimate downfall was another woman named Delilah. She was not an Israelite and her people wanted to see Samson dead so Delilah betrayed Samson. A sad story indeed. But the last thing Samson did before he died was pray to God for his strength to return. Why? So he could kill God's enemies . . . along with himself.

^"28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” ²⁹ Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, ³⁰ Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived." - Judges 16:28-30

When God's Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, don't we also pray to God and seek His help in overcoming our iniquities?  What or whom is OUR Delilah? Is there something that is keeping us from following God's commands and being obedient to His will?

In the end Samson sacrificed himself to accomplish god's will. He repents. Isn't that what WE are supposed to be doing?

The story of Samson also proved another thing to me. How forgiving and loving God is. 

Samson Movie Trailer
Samson - Walk In Faith Interview