There is a beautiful illustration of this victory over our enemy through the death of Jesus; let’s examine it together:
Samson, a judge in Israel, was seduced and deceived by a Philistine woman named Delilah. After much pestering and manipulation, Samson told Delilah the source of his strength (his obedience to God in keeping his hair long), and she told the secret to the Philistine leaders. They cut off Samson’s hair, captured him, gouged out both of his eyes, and put him to grinding wheat like an animal, where he was mocked and tormented daily.
But the Bible is careful to record that even in Samson’s weak state, “his hair began to grow again” (Judges 16:22). This is God’s way of telling us that His mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) and that Samson would find new strength even in his weak state.
Friend, you may have been weakened through giving in to the beguiling of sexual impurity and through falling to temptation. But God has fresh grace and new mercy for you.
Let’s pick up the story now, after Samson’s hair is growing again, and see how God uses him:
Please read the following passage and answer the questions below:
Judges 16:24-30 ESV And when the people saw him, they praised their god. For they said, “Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.” (25) And when their hearts were merry, they said, “Call Samson, that he may entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he entertained them. They made him stand between the pillars. (26) And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” (27) Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained. (28) Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” (29) And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. (30) And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.