Judges 15:3 Samson said to them, “This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them.”
Samson is not impressing me, which surprises me because my childhood memory of Samson was of a physically strong, attractive, flowing-haired servant of God. But the Samson I see here seems impetuous, willful, selfish and self-centered. He seems to wear his “set-aside-for-God” title as a cape of privilege instead of as earnest, loving obligation.
Judges 15:7 Samson said to them, “Since you’ve acted like this, I swear I won’t stop until I get my revenge on you.”
What is even more surprising to me is that even though Samson could star in his own episode of “Israelites Behaving Badly,” God still uses him mightily. Perhaps I’ve been hasty in my judgment. Perhaps I should be MUCH slower in writing people off because of their behavior. Perhaps God’s thoughts are not my thoughts and His “ways are far beyond anything” I can imagine (paraphrase of Isaiah 55:8).
Judges 15:8 He attacked them viciously and slaughtered many of them. Then he went down and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your willingness and ability to use us in Your kingdom work, regardless of other people’s opinion of our usefulness. Help me to look at others with love and not judgement. Draw us closer. Amen.
Judges 15:14-15 …The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him…. Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.