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The biblical story of Samson can seem somewhat confusing and even contradictory. How could a man so flawed in character be used by God? Is it wise for the church or any other organization to appoint men with similar character flaws to positions of leadership today? Can we realistically benefit from their positive abilities while merely glossing over their shortcomings? These are pertinent questions, especially in light of the insistence by some that what a person does in private has no bearing on their public service and commitments; as if what motivates us in private has no influence on our public behavior. And while personal shortcomings should never be used exclusively to gauge a man’s potential for leadership, caution must be exercised to protect not only those to be led from harm but to guard against placing an individual in a position he can’t handle or will otherwise compromise.

The story of Samson takes place during a time in Israel’s history when they had yet to completely subdue the Promised Land nor set up any form of kingdom rule. They were in the midst of a long-standing pattern whereby they would reject the worship of Jehovah, turning to the false gods and immoral behavior of the people among whom they lived. In turning them over to be ruled by their neighbors, God then brought them to their knees and their senses, instilling in them a sense of national identity by raising up individuals known as Judges who would lead them in battle, instruct them in worship and arbitrate their disagreements. It was during a forty year span of Philistine oppression that Samson was born.

Samson’s birth was supernaturally announced and conceived, if not in the same way as Mary the mother of Jesus, then at least as miraculously as Sarah’s child – Isaac, Hannah’s boy – Samuel and Elizabeth’s son – John. Samson’s father was married to a barren woman who was never-the-less granted her hearts desire; to have a son. An angel announced his coming and instructed the awe-struck parents on how he was to be raised; which was as a Nazarite. (Taking the vow of a Nazarite allowed common people to dedicate themselves for a period of time in service to God, after which they could return to their normal activities and lifestyle. See Numbers 6:1-21 & Acts 21:20-26) One key to their behavior was a refusal to engage in any behavior that mimicked or borrowed from the unbelieving pagans around them; their lives exemplifying total commitment to God’s will, a distinct and unflinching life of a believer. In representing God, they were to eat, drink or do nothing else that could in any way compromise their witness; keeping their minds clear and sharp, their bodies undefiled, their resolve sure. (In this instance, Samuel was called to a lifetime of service.) At the appointed time, “The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him…” Judges 13:24

But even as the Lord blessed and the Spirit moved, Samson grew into manhood with some decidedly ungodly character traits. He was a man’s man; big, bold, boisterous, courageous and lusty. He undoubtedly had a magnetic personality as he maintained the appearance of devotion and piety. And yet, he was prone to temptation; being a man of extremes, he was overly influenced by his appetites and senses. (And I don’t mean wisdom but by what he could see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.) He was evidently a striking young man, brimming with physical prowess as well as spiritual power. He could perform astounding feats of strength that left his enemies fear-filled and his fellow Israelites awe-struck. (Judges 14:5,6 & 19; 15:1-17; 16:1-3; probably the reason his moments of thoughtless indiscretion were never challenged. And as is so often the case, their admiration and excuse-making served only to encourage further bad behavior.) He inevitably impressed the ladies and was equally impressed by them. (Judges 14:1,2; 16:1; 16:4) But the theme serving as an undercurrent and moral to Samson’s life story can be found in Galatians 6:7,8; “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

As a result of his exploits, he was appointed Judge over Israel for twenty years, during which time the Israelis generally had the upper hand over the Philistines. Then came Delilah, apparently a very attractive and seductive woman who won his heart – or at least satisfied his lusts – and contrived to discover the secret of his strength. (Some of which was undoubtedly due to diet, hard work and physical predisposition; but the enormity of it’s manifestation explained only by something “supernatural.”) Samson and Delilah deserved one another. Both were beautiful, evidently reasonably intelligent and able to orchestrate things to their own advantage. People we tend to admire and elevate to positions no one can sustain and then gleefully revel in their downfall as they fail to meet our unrealistic expectations. They both lusted after the finer things in life, whether they be material objects or people; which they used and then discarded when they no longer brought them excitement and satisfaction. Jesus pointedly describing the connection between what our eyes see, our minds imagine and the activity that prepares us for in Matthew 5:27 & 28; “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Through a series of teasing tests and failures, Delilah finally convinced Samson to disclose the secret of his success. His hair, which had not been cut since birth, was his crowning glory and sign of separation; if it were cut, he would be as any other man. The question being – Did his power reside in the length of his hair or in the Spirit it symbolized; which at this time withdrew from him? (Judges 16:20) As a consequence of his hair being cut, the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and imprisoned him in Gaza. Naturally the Philistines interpreted this as a victory for their god, Dagon, and commenced to celebrate in praise of him. From representing God in his strength and glory, Samson now symbolized God’s defeat and Israel’s submission. Yet while in the bowels of the prison, Samson had plenty of time to reflect, meditate, and become convicted of his sin and cry out to God for forgiveness and redemption. The very thing that had caused him so much trouble throughout life and compromised his witness so terribly was now removed – his eyes – and he’d become more focused as a result; able now to “see” what he had become and who he needed to be. His hair began to re-grow, his strength to return, the Spirit to stir within him once again.

I believe this speaks somewhat to God’s perspective on the ails and injuries that afflict us all. I don’t believe every illness or injury is inflicted on us as punishment of some wrong, but it’s undeniable that we often do things to ourselves that are hurtful or raise the odds that illness and harm will come our way. Besides which, our personal comfort and health is not nearly as important to God as it is to us, he allowing any number of things to come our way if they will help us take stock of our lives and turn to him; and in so doing prepare us for the unsurpassed glory and well-being of heaven. (See Matthew 5:28-30)

In one final orgy of celebration, the Philistines brought Samson to the temple to serve as entertainment; placing him among the pillars that supported the terraced roof where three thousand spectators sat. Crying out to be remembered – by God and possibly his loved ones and nation (which is something we all crave at the end of this life as much as anything else); he pled with God to strengthen him once more, allowing him to strike back at his oppressors. He was so blessed and pushed over the pillars supporting the roof, collapsing the temple; killing all the leading citizens of the Philistine nation. Fittingly, he died among the people he had fought so hard against yet who had been his greatest source of temptation and failure.

The question of whether God can use flawed people to accomplish his purposes is answered with a resounding yes! He does so all the time. Will God hold us to a higher standard of judgment as professing believers? Yes again. James cautioning that, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers… because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Even as he acknowledges that, “We all stumble in many ways.” James 3:1,2And Paul writes of the high expectations of leaders in the church in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 This is serious business, any activity we participate in must be uplifting rather than degrading, confirming instead of confusing – for we will be held accountable; even as God takes all things and works them to his – and our – ultimate benefit. (Roman 8:28)

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

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