Village Schools of the Bible

RASCALS USED BY GOD
A Devotional Study of Judges
by Max Frazier, Jr.

THE DOWNFALL OF SAMSON
Judges 16

There is an old American proverb which states that "if you play with fire you will eventually get burned." Such a proverb aptly describes the life of Samson. We might say that here was a man who constantly lived near the edge of the cliff. There was a certain sense of arrogance in his attitude and in his approach toward the Philistines.

Unlike the other judges, whose stories we have read these past weeks, Samson never experienced a one-time lasting victory over the Philistines. In fact, he seemed to delight in toying with them, goading them on to make a move against him. Instead of shying away from the camps of the Philistines, Samson was determined to make his home among them. We might say that although Samson was very strong, he certainly was not very smart.

Samson soon found a new love interest in his life. This time it was a Philistine woman who lived in the Sorek valley. Her name was Delilah. It is obvious by her actions that she did not share the same affections as did Samson. She found herself in the employ of the Philistine leaders with the assignment to discover the secret of Samson's incredible strength. If successful, she would become an independently wealthy woman. Who could resist that kind of an offer?

Delilah persuades Samson to divulge the secrets of his strength. And thus begins the cat and mouse game which Samson loved to play. Each time he shared an idea, the plan was carried out by Delilah and the Philistines came. Each time Samson was successful in his escape. We are indeed mystified as to why Samson remained in Delilah's home. Surely he had become aware of her intentions. We want to shout out to him to flee even as Joseph fled from the home of Potipher. But all of our shouting is to no avail.

Have you noticed how with the first two attempts to bind him, Samson really made sport of the Philistines? But then he began to succumb to the enticing wiles of Delilah. First the hair was braided. Finally it was cut. And Delilah went to the bank to deposit her newly earned wealth. Samson the strong became Samson the weak. The man whose eyes had gotten him into continual trouble, now became the man who had no eyes. The man who had taunted others, now became the one at whom others hurled insults. All this because God's power cannot abide in disobedient vessels.

You might be asking why we would spend a week on the life of a man whose story is most discouraging. I believe that many of us have played the role of Samson a time or two in our lives. I know I have. You know how easy it is to live for your own selfish pleasures and ideas rather than to seek God's best. It is easy to walk in the energy of the flesh rather than that of the Spirit. And we have found that God still disciplines those who walk in disobedience to His will. Yes, we might feel sorry for this man who had so much potential that was unrealized. But how we need to be alert that we do not make the same tragic mistake which Samson did.

Father, You have taught us much during these studies from the book of Judges. We must confess that too often we have seen ourselves in the lives of these unique individuals. We have learned and we have grown, and for that we say "thank You." Continue to bless the ministry of Your Word in the lives of Your children until we reach maturity in Christ. For it is in His name we pray, Amen.

Judges 15 Return to the Table of Contents