Samson: so much more than a haircut
So I was reading Samson's story today (Judges 13-16). You know, the dude who killed a thousand Philistines with a donkey's jawbone...and who's strength-gift is honoured in a suitcase brand (Samson-ite!). Represent! It is interesting that Judges 16:20 says that "the Lord had left him" after the fatal haircut from Delilah. Sounds harsh?
Without consulting the professors on this, my first response is that the Lord hadn't actually left Samson. Rather, the removal of Samson's divinely given gift (his superhuman strength) made him feel as if Yahweh had "left the building." I know I'm way into the land of personal interpretation here, but it seems to me that this is exactly how if feels when our gifts dry up (for a season).
That the Lord was just and righteous in removing Samson's gift makes sense. The strength-gift was completely tied up in his calling to be a Nazarite (ie. toss the razors and go all Dumbledore or Gimli-style). God had set him apart as a Judge (ie. warrior-leader) and the strength was given for that task. When Samson strayed from that task (getting caught up twice with Philistine women...resulting in the fatal haircut) his Yahweh-empowered gift was taken. Why would it remain if he didn't remain in his call? He wasn't embracing his calling. Again this is my interpretation. I think the Philistine women in his life are the examples of him rejecting his calling to be Israel's leader. It is so much more than just a haircut. It is interesting to note that the only Hebrew woman he ever showed interest in was a prostitute from Gaza (Judg 16:1-3). And this isn't Jesus' "interest" in prostitutes and sinners (ie. showing them grace), but a lustful man's interest in a prostitute (ie. ownership and power over for use). Samson got lost from his calling, and his divine gifts vanished as a result.
So, in that moment it felt as if "the Lord had left him" just as his hair had. I know in my own life (yes, even in some of my present challenges) that when I abandon Yahweh's call on my life, I see my gifts begin to slip away (where has my preaching gift gone?!) and it feels like "the Lord has left me." But thanks be to God for the end of Samson's story! Though Samson dies, he doesn't die tragically, but he dies triumphantly. As his hair begins to grow out he finds that the Lord has not left him. When offered the second chance (ironically now his eyes are physically gone, but he can now REALLY see) his strength returns and he takes out the whole pagan temple of Dagon in a final act of martyrdom. The Lord never leaves his people and he is desperately ready to RE-equip his people as we return to our callings! That's the grace of the gift-giver. I just hope I don't wait until I'm bald, blinded, and tied up in a pagan temple to turn back to the Lord!!
O Lord, may I live out the calling you have given me, living in the power of your giftings. And, Lord, when I abandon my calling (God help me, it wouldn't be the first time), help me know you are a God of second chances, that you do not abandon me, and are eager to re-equip me for ministry in this broken world. Amen.
Without consulting the professors on this, my first response is that the Lord hadn't actually left Samson. Rather, the removal of Samson's divinely given gift (his superhuman strength) made him feel as if Yahweh had "left the building." I know I'm way into the land of personal interpretation here, but it seems to me that this is exactly how if feels when our gifts dry up (for a season).
That the Lord was just and righteous in removing Samson's gift makes sense. The strength-gift was completely tied up in his calling to be a Nazarite (ie. toss the razors and go all Dumbledore or Gimli-style). God had set him apart as a Judge (ie. warrior-leader) and the strength was given for that task. When Samson strayed from that task (getting caught up twice with Philistine women...resulting in the fatal haircut) his Yahweh-empowered gift was taken. Why would it remain if he didn't remain in his call? He wasn't embracing his calling. Again this is my interpretation. I think the Philistine women in his life are the examples of him rejecting his calling to be Israel's leader. It is so much more than just a haircut. It is interesting to note that the only Hebrew woman he ever showed interest in was a prostitute from Gaza (Judg 16:1-3). And this isn't Jesus' "interest" in prostitutes and sinners (ie. showing them grace), but a lustful man's interest in a prostitute (ie. ownership and power over for use). Samson got lost from his calling, and his divine gifts vanished as a result.
So, in that moment it felt as if "the Lord had left him" just as his hair had. I know in my own life (yes, even in some of my present challenges) that when I abandon Yahweh's call on my life, I see my gifts begin to slip away (where has my preaching gift gone?!) and it feels like "the Lord has left me." But thanks be to God for the end of Samson's story! Though Samson dies, he doesn't die tragically, but he dies triumphantly. As his hair begins to grow out he finds that the Lord has not left him. When offered the second chance (ironically now his eyes are physically gone, but he can now REALLY see) his strength returns and he takes out the whole pagan temple of Dagon in a final act of martyrdom. The Lord never leaves his people and he is desperately ready to RE-equip his people as we return to our callings! That's the grace of the gift-giver. I just hope I don't wait until I'm bald, blinded, and tied up in a pagan temple to turn back to the Lord!!
O Lord, may I live out the calling you have given me, living in the power of your giftings. And, Lord, when I abandon my calling (God help me, it wouldn't be the first time), help me know you are a God of second chances, that you do not abandon me, and are eager to re-equip me for ministry in this broken world. Amen.
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