The Leadership ChallengeSample

Challenge 13

SAMSON: CHARACTER FLAWS AND LEADERSHIP

READ: Judges 14:1—16:31

The judges God raises up to deliver Israel are not portrayed as impeccable leaders. Many have personal or moral challenges—as does Samson. He seems to have it all. He has godly parents and even before his conception he is set apart to fight the oppressive Philistines (see Judges 13). But his strengths are compromised by weakness of character. We see him as headstrong and lacking self-control and repeatedly undiscerning about women. In chapter 14, Samson insists that his parents get a Philistine woman for his wife rather than choosing a wife from Israel. The marriage does not work out well. In chapter 16, Samson falls under the spell of the seductress Delilah, who teases the secret of his strength out of him and then betrays him. We see his weaknesses as something God uses (see 14:4), though they are deeply costly to him and in fact Samson never quite frees Israel from the Philistines.

What does the reading tell us about Samson’s character? All of us have flaws that can undermine our leadership, issues of character that can raise their ugly heads when we are under pressure. What weaknesses in your character do you need to address?