Samson & His Hard Fought Hallelujah? Judges 13:1-7, 15:8, 16:1-21cf, Rom.

Описание: Samson and His Hard Fought Hallelujah

Judges 13:1-5, 15:18, 16:23-31; Romans 7:11-24

Like Isaac, Samson’s birth came on a promise and a prayer. His mother was told by the Angel of the Lord that “He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” But throughout his life, and especially during his twenty year tenure as a judge and one man wrecking crew, his erratic, impulsive, and violent behaviors took their tolls; first his hair, then his eyesight, and finally his pride. But as his hair began to grow, the darkness in his soul faded just enough so that, for the first time in his impetuous life, he started to see the light. It dawned on him that he had spent his life fleeing down all the dark alleys of his days, doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. He cried out, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Even at the end, with his acknowledgement that God had been his empowerment all along, his motive was less than godly. But as the pillars began to shake, one has to wonder if Samson didn’t at last see the Light in its fullness- a light that even a blind man could see- and grunt through gritted teeth, with a smile on his lips, “Hallelujah!”, as the walls- and the Philistines- came tumbling down.