Samson’s story is Israel’s story focused in the life of one person. Samson was a holy man, Israel was a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). Samson wanted to be as other men; Israel wanted to be as other nations. So how was Israel, and for that matter how are we today, to understand this text? Does it not give you a renewed sense of hope, as you contend with the real dangers of pride and self-confidence?

In Samson’s life, he takes the credit for his exploits. He assumes he will be strong in the face of conflict. He even thinks his strength will still be there even after Delilah has his head shaved. He thought his strength came from himself. His self-confidence brings him to weakness, and humiliation. He had to be blinded and handed over to the pain of slavery in Gaza before he at last came to recognize at some level his calling from God. He finally saw the Philistines as an enemy, that needed to be defeated. And out of that awareness, he asked for strength from the Lord. What did the Lord do? He could have rejected Samson because he sinned, he struggled with the lusts of the flesh. The Lord didn’t reject him. Oh, it is clear that the Lord guided things so that the consequences of Samson’s sins came crashing down upon him. The Lord’s hand justly cast down his servant. But he did so to bring Samson to repentance. A repentance that was not quite according to what we would have liked to see. But in his mercy and grace, the Lord’s ears are always open to the cries of his children, his erring, idolatrous children, and his arm is always ready to act on their behalf. Would this not have been an encouragement to Israel, during the days of the kings, to see that even in her sinfulness, God was still urging her to call upon him? What about God’s people in the exile? Like Samson, Israel was given over to the bitter suffering of exile, after the Babylonians gouged out the eyes of King Zedekiah (2 Kings 25:7). Yahweh still hears and answers his sinful people, even in exile! And he acts to save them, in life or in death.

Are you filled with hope as you consider this passage? Does it not tell you that if you trust in Christ, even if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, God is for you and not against you?