The Saga of Samson, Part One

Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

The war in Europe was won! The war in the Pacific would be over in a matter of weeks.

In what could have been a resounding victory, Churchill is remembered for expressing the sentiment that he and his political party had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Compared to the account of God’s people marching through the Red Sea on dry ground, the account of God’s people walking across the Jordan and shortly after walking around Jericho the accounts of God’s people in Judges is very bleak.

Judges describes several instances of victory.

Deborah and Barak led in an important victory.

Gideon led an impressive win over the Midianites.

Most every turn of the page in Judges though, we read how God’s people did again what was evil in the sight of the LORD.

Occasionally we read of God’s people calling out for relief from the oppression of those whose beliefs were radically different from their own.

The saga of Samson illustrates once again the failure of God’s people and the consequences of disobedience on a personal and corporate level.

The days of Samson

There are a number of interesting events occurring even before Samson was born. These events remind us of the ways God works – even in spiritually desolate days.

A barren woman

God has used barren women as instruments of His grace and examples of His unlimited power.

Manoah’s wife, whose name we will never know, is startled by an unexpected encounter with God – vs 3-5.

An ‘angel of the LORD’ appears – just as an angel of the LORD had appeared to Hagar Abraham’s wife; reminding Abraham and Sara of their failure to depend upon the LORD.

Later an angel will speak to Abraham as Sara overhears–that God will indeed bless he and Sarah with a son.

Good News…Confusing News

Good News:

God had intervened in your barrenness – “you will conceive and give birth to a son.” (Vs 3).

The instructions (vs 4-5) reflect the commitment similar to the choices one might make in order to take the vow of a Nazarite,

We will learn that Samson, with the exception of never cutting his hair, never fulfilled all the vows required of a Nazarite.

A confused and uncertain husband

Manoah is as surprised as his wife when he learns of the visit – vs 6-8

Manoah prays, asking God to provide some instruction beyond what his wife had received.

The angel of the Lord returns to visit – this time with both Manoah and his wife.

This prompts Manoah to

1. Prepare an offering (vs 15)

2. Request the identity of the angelic messenger (vs. 17-18.)

The angel consumes the offering with fire, rising back to the heavenly places in the flame. The angel refuses to give a name, simply telling Manoah and his wife that his name is too marvelous to be grasped.

Samson’s Birth

Judges 13:24–25 (HCSB)

So the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the Lord blessed him. Then the Spirit of the Lord began to direct him in the Camp of Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

From barrenness to blessedness.

In the Ancient Near East women found their value and significance in their ability to bear children.

And yet many of the notable women in OT history were described as barren.

Sarah, the wife of Abraham was barren until God miraculously opened her womb when she was nearly 100 years old.

Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is described as ‘barren’ until in a moving and passionate prayer she pleads with God to grant her a child whom she names ‘Samuel’ - a gift from/to God.

Manoah’s wife is in good company - even in her barrenness.

“The boy grew…”

“The LORD blessed him…”

“The Spirit of the LORD began to direct him…”

These three phrases are similar to ones describing the birth of Samuel, told in 1 Samuel 1-3

Both men - Samson and Samuel - are flawed human beings.

Both men are used of God in spite of their flaws.

REFLECT AND RESPOND

Samson, as I’ve noted, will prove to be a very troubled man. The next two Sunday’s we will dive into his life and learn from his example - better, learn how NOT to live according to his pattern.

It would be easy to write Samson off - to ignore him, to point to his life as a cautionary tale of power gone bad.

But let’s not ignore several important realities:

God Often Works When Life Appears Darkest

It’s been several generations since Israel has ‘cried’ out to the LORD in distress.

Manoah, Samson’s father, only prays when he discovers that he and his wife are about to have a son.

Yet God initiated action. Israel was far from God. God was never far from Israel.

You may feel far from God. But know this: God is not far from you!

Learn to Discern the Activity of God

Samson’s mother - whose name is not recorded - recognized the visitor as a ‘man of God…an awe-inspiring messenger of God…’

Manoah, on the other hand was unconvinced. He prayed to the LORD seeking assurance.

Neither are wrong. Both are correct. God may very well surprise you in the midst of your ordinary life.

God listens to our prayers.

Do you see the principle?

God is working. We may question His methods - as did Manoah - but both parents were persuaded that Samson was evidence of God’s work.

A Simple Act of Surrender May Change the World

Samson’s parents accepted God’s gift, God’s work in their lives.

Samson’s failures are not to be blamed on his parents. No, he alone bears responsibility.

The end of Samson’s life, recorded in Judges 16, tells us that

Judges 16:30 (HCSB)

And the dead he killed at his death were more than those he had killed in his life.

You may feel like those Israelites of old - oppressed by a enemy you can no longer fight. Instead of fighting it’s easier to keep your head down and go about your life.

When you feel the absence of God most profoundly remember this:

God is never far from you

Isaiah 55:6 (HCSB)

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call to Him while He is near.

Spend time in God’s Word, with God’s people, learning allowing God to surprise you even in the midst of what feels like just another day.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (HCSB)

Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

What is God asking of you today?

Have you publicly declared your faith in Jesus Christ?

Are you willing to follow Him in believers baptism?

Are you willing to commit yourself to publicly identify as a member of Community Baptist Church?

It is no accident that Samson’s mother is unnamed. It’s no accident that all we know of his father is in a few sentences.

God works when He is made much of - not when we make much of ourselves.