Samson, a story for our day?

I would like to say something about the story of Samson from the book of Judges. I have had great difficulties with this story for more than a decade until I finally took it to Heavenly Father in prayer. I could not see its relevance as scripture. I was reminded more of the Illiad and the Odyssey and such tales of godless honor and warring.

I tried and tried to resolve the dissonance caused by this story through reason and logic, through study and discussion, but not prayer.

I came to hate the story of Samson and treat it with disgust; using it as an example that the Old Testament has been corrupted by the enemies of righteousness. Why else would such a story exist that seems to champion his wickedness? The way Samson is portrayed in the Old Testament is not unlike the portrayal of modern-day movie stars. Their heroism stems from their large statures, their nice figures, and their ability to fight and get what they want. This is how Samson is treated. But what of the integrity of the heart? What of the desire to act in righteousness before God? This is not a part of the story of Samson as we know it.

Against his parents’ wishes and the Jewish tradition Samson asks for the hand of a woman of Timnath. His pleas are not unlike that of a spoiled child, “Get her for me, daddy! I like her daddy.” (Jud14:3). He fed his parent honey made in the carcass of a lion, surely against the Law of Moses. He rose up and killed 30 men because they discovered the answer to his riddle. (Red Flags going up everywhere). When he was dishonored by losing the hand of the woman from Timnath he turned upon the inhabitants of that land and burned up their fields of corn and vineyards of olives. But that was only the beginning. He then slew them with a great slaughter. Then when the Philistines came with their armies to take him he slew a thousand more men. He later went unto the harlot Delilah who was not only a harlot, but of the Philistines as well. He not only broke principles of the Law of Moses, he consistently broke the BIG commandments. Amidst this sinful saga we get one little glimpse of seeming goodness in Samson. We learn that he judged Israel for 20 years. Now this detail is not a light thing. The Judges of Israel were chosen from the righteous of Israel, at least in theory. What from Samson’s story besides his strength gave him the right to be a judge in Israel?

I argued for some time that such a story could only mean that the bible had been changed from its original state or such wickedness would never have been celebrated. Then I had a shocking and most pleasant revelation that has helped me to see the value of this story more clearly.

As I pondered and prayed about this particular story, my understanding seemed suddenly clearer and I felt impressed that Samson had served the Lord faithfully for many years and was justified in his ways…

but then he fell.

His story is one full of tragedy, for after living a life of faithfulness (20 years as a judge of Israel), and knowing the Lord well and the Lord’s will regarding him, he forsook the covenants he had made and faltered, giving way to his sensual desires. His fall began gradually and because he was a judge of Israel he was not checked for his behavior, but rather he likely used his position of power to satisfy his carnal desires. At such a point the Spirit could no longer be with him.

The idea that has made this story so clearly relevant came next. This was the idea that to the extent that Samson kept his covenants he was protected. He was a Nazarite, so as he forsook strong drink and stayed the razor from his head, for example, he was protected from the cunning designs of men, but as his heart had failed him and was set henceforth on things of the world and no longer on things of heaven, he soon forsook even those covenants. He was blinded by his appetite for power and sensuality and quickly fell from his place. While the Bible only gives account of his head being shaved by Delilah, the Antiquities of the Jews by Josephus discusses how all of the conversations with Delilah, when she convinced him to do so many things, happened while he was drunk! A Nazarite is not supposed to be drunk…which means he forsook even the most basic of the covenants he made with the Lord.

His life is one to be remembered, but not revered or followed. He wasn’t forsaken by the Lord until he had completely forsaken even the outward covenants he had made with the Lord. The thought occurred to me that there are many Christians today who outwardly keep commandments and covenants they have made with the Lord by following codes of health (i.e. Word of Wisdom), for example, and wearing their garments, BUT THEIR HEARTS HAVE ALSO FAILED THEM or have gradually begun to do so as they seek to satisfy their own carnal desires rather than seek the things of heaven. In a very real way Samson is a tale of our day…and a warning.

The story of Samson now has value to me and has become one of my favorites.