“The Story of Samson” (Part Three)

Samson and Culture

“They [the Philistines] were left, that He might test Israel by them, to know whether they would obey the commandments of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses” (Judges 3:4).

Samson is the last of the judges. Like those before him, he and his generation were tested by God to see if they would pass the obedience test. Samson killed a lot of Philistines, but he failed miserably in obedience. J. Clinton McCann reminds us in his commentary on Judges that Samson’s story is a picture of the culture wars of the 21st century:

“Will Israel honor, trust, and obey God alone, amid the inhabitants of the new land and its gods? To proclaim and embody God’s sovereign claim on our lives and the life of the whole world as our ultimate loyalty and allegiance will surely not only transform ourselves; it will also have, through us (see 2 Cor. 5:17-21, especially vv. 19-20), a transforming effect on the world.

. . . But the culture wars of Judges 13–16 serve to remind the people of God in every generation just how difficult a ‘test’ (see 3:1,4) it is to be faithful to God and God’s purposes when living in a land that offers compelling, attractive alternatives. Samson exemplifies the difficulty. . . . [His behavior] serves as a timely reminder
. . . of how easy it is to reflect the ways of a prevailing culture instead of transforming it” (Judges, pp.111-12).

Judges 16 mentions another of Samson’s love affairs. This time he fell for Delilah, who lived in the Valley of Sorek. She must have been exceedingly beautiful in order to lead Samson as a lamb to the slaughter four times. Paid handsomely, her challenge was to entice him to reveal the secret of his super strength. We can learn two major lessons from this story:

First, the dangerous path of temptation. Delilah led Samson down that path with four stops:

• If I’m bound with seven new bowstrings, I will be helpless (16:8).

• If I’m bound with new ropes, I will be helpless (16:11).

• “If you weave the seven locks of my head into the web of the loom,” I will be helpless (16:13). At this point, Samson’s resistance was wearing down and he was flirting with danger as he mentioned the symbol of his strength—his hair.

• Samson had taken fire into his bosom and was about to be burned. His resolve was gone. Finally, Delilah asked him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me?” (v.15). The rest is history. The barbers were waiting in the wings and his hair was cut in record time.

Second, the awful price of that haircut. As a result, he lost his hair, his power, his vision, and his freedom.

Backsliding happens almost imperceptibly; and when that slide occurs, it’s difficult to climb back up. Thankfully, God was able to restore Samson’s strength and use him to accomplish His purposes (see 16:23-31). God can do the same for us.

Recommended resources:

Hearts of Iron Feet of Clay by Gary Inrig

Judges by Leon Morris

Judges by J. Clinton McCann