Samson's Final Act

This is the last post of the Samson series.  You can begin reading the Samson series here.

I’ve been excited to write this post for a while.  This is where Samson’s story gets really good.  Yes, we start at the pinnacle of Samson’s devastation, but please hear me, redemption is SO amazing.  The spiritual significance of the end of Samson’s story is beautiful.  I can’t wait!

We begin in Judges 16:4 with the famous Delilah.  I’m not really going to comment a whole lot on this part since the story is so well known.  Plus you can read it.  :)

Samson plays this messed up game with Delilah and eventually she learns the secret of his strength and the Lord leaves him.  My heart aches for this part of the story.  It makes me think about Jesus on the cross when He takes our sin upon Him, and the Father turns His back.  Remember Jesus’ heartbreaking cry in agony?  “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  (Matt. 27:46)

There is a way that we can walk, continually in our own way, and eventually Father will let us go.  In His wisdom, He lovingly lets us have our way, though He can see the resulting destruction.  Samson’s fall was particularly brutal.  For those whom God has called, set apart, and designated for a certain purpose, the result of running away can be especially painful.

Delilah shaves Samson’s head, his strength leaves him, the Philistines capture him, and they put his eyes out.  Samson lands himself in prison, blind. 

You may be thinking, how could this happen?  How can a man so clearly set apart for God, so supernaturally gifted, land in such devastation?  How is it that Samson ended up being so far from God, to the point where His Spirit left him?

Remember the pain Samson experienced in Judges chapter 14?  Recall Samson’s failed marriage and humiliation.  Recall the rejection and betrayal Samson must have felt when his own brethren accused him and gave him up to the Philistines (Judges 15:12).  I can’t imagine the loneliness Samson must have felt throughout his life.  His own parents didn’t understand where he was coming from.

In this world there is pain and struggles- that is certain.  It is when we pick up our burdens and carry them in our own strength, like Samson in chapter 16, that our heart begins to stray.  Without consistently coming to God with our disappointments, when we don’t allow ourselves to feel our pain, we run the risk of inadvertently storing up garbage in our hearts.  This becomes a dark corner and begins to harden our heart.  

It is clear that Samson’s prison time did it’s purpose.  It seems Samson truly humbled himself, surrendering fully and completely- even to the point of death- to God’s will for his life.  His hair grows back and Samson is summoned to be paraded around in front of the Philistine lords.

I smell the sweet fragrance of a man completely surrendered in Samson’s last prayer.  Verse 28 reads,

“Then Samson called to the Lord and said, O Lord God, [earnestly] remember me, I pray You, and strengthen me, I pray You, only this once, Oh God, and let me have one vengeance upon the Philistines for both my eyes.”

In Samson’s final act we see him bowing his head and pushing with all his might on two pillars, arms stretched wide, as the temple roof collapses on him and all the Philistine leadership.  The Bible records that Samson killed more at his death than in his life.  As a result, the Israelites gained much momentum toward their deliverance from the hand of the Philistines.

Do you see what I see?