What was Samson's problem? First, Samson[3] was dominated by lust. That passion led Samson to desire a Philistine woman as a wife, which was strictly forbidden by God's Law. In addition, that passion led him to liaisons with prostitutes, like the one with the woman Delilah who betrayed him for money. Second, Samson was driven by pride and revenge. He was more moved by anger at personal affronts to strike out at the Philistines than he was moved by the suffering of the people he was supposed to lead (cf. 14:19–20; 15:7–8; 16:28). Third, Samson was defeated by himself. We can hardly imagine what Samson, with his great strength and godly heritage, might have been. If only he had lived out daily the formal commitment to God expressed in that Nazarite vow.
The rest of the story shows the tragic end of the believer who will not let God have his way with his life. From 16.20 on, Samson does nothing but lose.
Samson loses his hair, the symbol of his Nazarite dedication; for that dedication had long since been abandoned. Samson loses his strength, but doesn't even know it until he is overpowered. Judges 16:20 And she said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" So he awoke from his sleep, and said, "I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!" But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him. How futile it is for the servant of God to try to serve the Lord when out of His will. Samson loses his sight, as the Philistines put out his eyes. Samson loses his freedom, for they bind him with fetters of brass. Samson loses his usefulness to the Lord, for he ends up grinding corn instead of fighting God's battles. What a picture of sin. 1st sin blinds, then
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Pastor John Barnett has been devouring the Word of God for over 30 years. John, now the teaching pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan has served congregations in Oklahoma, New England, Georgia and California. He also served on the Faculty of the Master's College...
