Judges and Prophets – Part 3

Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets

‘Samson’ – faith’s physical strength (Judges 13:1-16:31). His strength was not in his hair or his muscles, but in the Holy Spirit (Jdg. 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14) and his faith in God (Heb. 11:32-40). His hair was a token of his vow to God. After he was enslaved and blinded because of his backslidden state, he renewed his Nazarite vow and asked God to come back into his life as his hair began to grow again (Jdg. 16:22, 28). An example of praying to God while in disgrace and humiliation, and being heard by Him. The result was a great deliverance for Israel (Jdg. 16:28-30).

Twelve exploits are noted of Samson: He ripped a lion apart bare-handed (Jdg. 14:6). He killed 30 men (Jdg. 14:19). He caught 300 foxes (Jdg. 15:4-5). He slaughtered the Philistines (Jdg. 15:8). He broke two new ropes that bound him (Jdg. 15:14). He killed 1,000 armed men with the jawbone of an ass (Jdg. 15:15-17). He brought water miraculously out of the jawbone (Jdg. 15:16-20). He tore away from the city wall the doors of the gate of the city with the two posts and bar, carrying them to the top of the hill before Hebron (Jdg. 16:1-3). He broke seven green cords of braided wood that bound him (Jdg. 16:6-9). He broke new ropes that bound him (Jdg. 16:10-12). He broke the pin that bound his seven locks of hair to the wall and carried the pin and web with him (Jdg. 16:13-15). He killed 3,000 men and women by pulling down the great pillars that held up the house (Jdg. 16:23-31). Samson died with the Philistines (Jdg. 16:30).

To be continued…