Year of the Bible: Part Five of Twelve Sample

Samson: Right in His Own Eyes

The story of Samson reads like the screenplay of an epic Hollywood drama. Samson was set apart before he was born. His mother was approached by an angel with a declaration that she would have a son. The command to make him a Nazarite while he was in her womb was unusual, and made her realize God had big plans for her boy.

The Hebrew word “nazir” simply means “to be separated or consecrated.” Nazirites could not eat any fruit of the grapevine nor eat anything unclean. This meant no drinking wine or beer. Particularly interesting was their commitment not to go near a dead body. Doing so would require them to shave their head and offer a sacrifice to be purified. Since the angel had told Samson’s mother never to cut his hair, being near a dead body would compromise his vow. Some people took a Nazarite vow for a specified period of time, but Samson’s vow did not seem to have an expiration date.

Once Samson grew up, he made a number of questionable choices. He created a web of drama for himself, yet God was with him in moments that mattered. Once, the Holy Spirit enabled Samson to kill a lion. When he traveled the same road later, he found honey in the carcass of the lion. Breaching his Nazirite vow twice, Samson ate a portion of unclean food and was near a dead body. More drama ensued as he made a bet and committed murder to pay a debt incurred by his wife’s betrayal. He left in a huff and later brought more destruction to the Philistines when he found out his wife had been given to someone else.

Nevertheless, God had a plan to deliver his people through this foolhardy man. Samson is an example of someone who did what was right in his own eyes. Time and again, we see the trials he unnecessarily brought on himself. His selfishness was turned for good in many ways as God empowered him at the right moments to bring victory to Israel.

Question: Do you consistently seem to bring trouble to yourself through poor choices? Do you demand your own way in spite of godly wisdom from people in your life? Does God bail you out a lot? How might you accomplish God’s plan more efficiently through unselfish choices?

Prayer: Check in with God to see if there are ways that you are walking according to your own logic. Take a humble posture and see if God is asking you to do things differently. Are there ways you have compromised your vows to the Lord? Are you receiving the full benefit of His blessings, or are you squeaking by while those around you cringe? God still used Samson, and He will still use you. Ask Him to give you the wisdom to yield to His leading so that He doesn’t have to work in spite of your foolishness.