The secret of Samson’s strength was his consecration to God. He was set apart by God for a purpose and this was symbolised in his Nazirite vow. This vow required Samson to never cut his hair. To do so would signify the breaking of his special relationship with God. In a way, the story of Samson and Delilah in Judges 16 is symbolic of Israel’s story at the time. Israel had been seduced by the Canaanites and she had allowed herself to be deceived by their gods. In doing this Israel had broken her vow to God and she was therefore cut off from her strength. She could have defeated the nations, but, because she had allowed herself to be deceived, she was captured. So, Samson becomes a symbol of his people here. The events at the end of this chapter are also powerful in their historical context. In the end, Samson defeated his enemies. It would be the same for Israel at this time. While she had cut herself off from her strength and was in bondage, God would nevertheless see his plan through with them. In the end God would defeat evil through Israel despite her failings. What God begins he finishes. If it was the case with Samson and with Israel in the Bible, it will be the case with you. We often cut ourselves off from God by our lack of trust and by allowing ourselves to be seduced by the ways of this world. But there is always a new opportunity for us in God’s grace to return to his path of victory.
Rededicate yourself to God today.
Read Judges 16
