GREAT EMPOWERMENT: THE JUDGES’ FAITH

Week 3: SAMSON’S POWER

During this study, we will be doing a ‘deep dive’ into a scriptural passage. It is strongly encouraged that you study the passage and entire chapter ahead of the study. Also be prepared with your research tools, for example Google or your study Bible, as you will need to reference it during the study. Spend time answering and discussing each question with the intention to gain sufficient understanding to help your own private Bible study as you further explore these topics.

Study Chapters: Judges 15-16, Hebrews 11:32-40

Pilot text

Judges 16:15-21 15 Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me where your great strength lies.” 16 And it came to pass, when she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death, 17 that he told her all his heart, and said to her, “No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.” 18 When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, “Come up once more, for he has told me all his heart.” So the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hand. 19 Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. 20 And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.
21 Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison. 22 However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaven.

Discussion Points

1. Samson was a judge of Israel for almost 20 years. How did he get to this point in his life, where his deepest convictions were up for negotiation?
2. Why do you think it might have been so difficult for Samson’s adversaries to determine the source of his strength?
3. What do you think it meant for Samson’s hair to grow again after it had been shaven? Was this merely a physical thing or are there other connotations?

Closing thoughts:

Samson’s story is a cautionary tale, but also one of redemption. On the one hand we see how he lost sight of who he was and his reliance on God, even though he had been in ‘ministry’ for a long time. We see how he walked so close to the edge that he eventually fell over. While this did not change his calling as a leader of Israel, it did tarnish his legacy. On the other hand we see the mercy and grace of God in focus, where he used the occasion of Samson’s greatness weakness to demonstrate His own great power. As Apostle Paul writes in Romans 11:33: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”

We learn the following from this study:

First, the source of Samson’s power was not his hair, but God’s presence. It is telling that, when Samson’s power left him, the reason given was not the shaving of his hair but the departure of God from him (Judges 16 verse 20). This means that it was really about Samson’s choice – it was impossible for anyone but Samson himself to cause God’s presence to leave him, shaven hair or not. Our empowerment does not come from any physical attributes, but from the Spirit of God dwelling in us who, under the new covenant ratified in Christ, will never leave or forsake us (Heb 13:5-6). He works together with us to will and do His good pleasure. But, as in Samson’s case, our own choice(s) can stop – not the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but the outward manifestation of our empowerment in Him.

Second, God’s grace is made perfect in weakness. God’s treasure of power is placed within us, imperfect earthen vessels. Like Samson, we may sometimes lose sight of who we are and make the wrong choices. But even in the midst of our weakness, God’s grace abounds much more (Rom 5:20-21), and out of weakness we are made strong (Heb 11:34).

Third, through faith in God, our deepest trials can become our greatest testimonies. In Samson’s case, the intention of the enemy was that he be remembered at his lowest point. But God turned it around such that he was remembered for his greatest feat. The writer of Hebrews tells us that Samson obtained a good testimony (report, commendation or divine approval) through faith (Heb 11:32, 39). As we believe God for the outward manifestation of our empowerment, we must choose to believe and trust God, while partnering with Him to work out that which He has already placed within us.

Eph 3:20-21 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Application Questions (use scriptures to support your position):

1. A friend tells you of her revelation of the Nazirite vow, which in her view is the greatest expression of consecration to God. She informs you that she feels God is asking her to make this commitment, and invites you to join her. What would you say to her (with reasons)?
2. “As believers, there are certain actions we can take that will cause the Holy Spirit to leave us”. Agree / disagree with reasons.