Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In Judges 13-16, there is an unvarnished account of the life and deeds of Samson. He certainly had faults (which the Bible does not omit or excuse), but he was also designated (even from before his birth (Judges 13:3-7)) and used mightily by God in the deliverance of Israel from subjugation to the Philistines for a period of twenty years, as noted by the various events recounted in the cited chapters from Judges.

Even after he had finally been captured by the Philistines (through foolishly confiding in a Philistine woman (Delilah) the source of his great strength), and had had his eyes put out, and it seemed that his usefulness to Israel was ended, he nevertheless retained his faith in God, and used it (even at the willing cost of his own life) to kill more Philistines at one time (3,000) than he previously had during his entire life (Judges 16:23-31).

This was also a clear witness to the Philistines of the supremacy of the God of Israel (working even through what might seem from a human perspective to be great adversity to Samson) over the pagan god Dagon, whom the Philistines had credited with Samson's captivity, and in whose temple they were worshiping when Samson caused the building to collapse.

I would say that it was for these reasons that Samson (despite his flaws) was worthy to be regarded by the writer of Hebrews as a hero of faith.

August 17 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report