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God’s Plan (at Least) Since Samson
Starting out this year, our Bible study has been stepping into the story surrounding the birth (and life) of Samson. Judges 13-16 tell quite the tale of this enigma of a deliverer.
Honestly, in more ways than one, Samson is a mess. He’s arrogant and proud, quick to anger, and disrespectful toward his own parents. He acts far less like a man and far more like an overgrown child who demands his own way. Though gifted with incredible strength by God, Samson often seems to credit his success to himself, only turning to God when his need becomes overwhelming (see Judges 15:18-19 and 16:28).
All of this comes from a guy whose miraculous birth to a barren couple subtly points forward to the miraculous birth of God’s Son in Bethlehem centuries later. But sadly, the similarities seem to end there. It almost feels strange that this arrogant, lust-driven, self-controlled-lacking “mini-deliverer” is meant to point us toward the greater Deliverer—Jesus—whom all of Scripture ultimately proclaims and foreshadows.
But… maybe that’s the point. Samson’s story isn’t included because he’s admirable, but because he isn’t. His strength paired with spectacular failure directs our eyes to the One who, “though he was in the form of God… humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:5-11). Jesus, truly all-powerful, humbly laid down His strength to save sinners just like Samson—and just like you and me.
And throughout Samson’s story—his conflicts with Philistines, women, and even his own people—we see that God is still at work, unfolding His good purposes (Judges 14:4). That’s a comfort if you’re anything like me. When I look back at my own path, I see plenty of messes. Yet the God we serve and the Savior on the throne work even through those messes to bring about a very good plan that’s for His glory and our good.
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