The woman bore a son and called his name Samson.
Judges 13:24
Before we come to Samson’s story, here are three things you need to know about him.
1. Samson was a believer. Hebrews specifically tells us about “Samson… who through faith…” (11:32, 33) did many things. That means we should expect to see him in heaven. For all his flaws, Samson was a man of faith.
Samson had a special place in God’s purpose: “The child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines” (Judges 13:5). And the Holy Spirit was at work in his life: “Samson… grew, and the Lord blessed him. And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him” (13:24–25).
2. Samson was a courageous hero. He was a larger-than-life hero who inspired hope when everything else seemed lost. In a country that was defeated and demoralised, there was one man who was prepared to put up a fight for the liberation of his people, and with amazing results!
When we read about Samson taking out 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey, we are meant to cheer. Samson is a hero. He is a one-man army in a nation of people who have no means of defending themselves. If he were alive today, he would surely be nominated for a medal of honour because of his extraordinary courage in the field of battle.
3. Samson was also an irresponsible fool. This is the great irony of Samson’s life. He was blessed with godly parents, remarkable spiritual gifts, great faith, and extraordinary courage, but sometimes he did the most foolish things.
As you follow Samson’s story, you don’t know whether to cheer or cry. How can a man who is a gifted believer and a courageous hero also be such an irresponsible fool? Samson reminds us that it is possible to have the Holy Spirit at work in you, be called by God to ministry, be used in the work of God’s kingdom, and still take a plunge to disaster.
Do you know any courageous, irresponsible Christians? Pray for one right now.
