Samson’s Tragedy
Scripture Reading — Judges 16:21-30
The Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and . . . binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison.
By God’s grace, Samson was called to an important role. He was to take the lead in delivering God’s people from their enemies, the Philistines—and for this task he received a special blessing of strength. Samson was so strong that he tore a lion apart with his bare hands, carried a city gate on his shoulders, and killed a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey (see Judges 13-15).
But Samson was also foolish in his actions. He disobeyed God’s call in many ways. Eventually he fell in love with a Philistine prostitute, Delilah, who secretly worked for his enemies. God took Samson’s strength away, and Delilah managed to get him captured (Judges 16:1-21).
Samson paid a miserable price for his wrongdoings. The Philistines gouged out his eyes and made him grind grain like an ox. For a major assembly at their temple, they brought him out for entertainment. Then Samson prayed, “Please, God, strengthen me just once more.” And God strengthened him to break the pillars of the temple and bring it crashing down on the Philistines.
If any of us have turned away from God, there is still hope. We can ask for forgiveness through Jesus Christ, who died to pay for our sins, and God will deliver us from our miseries and lead us to live a new life.
Father, forgive us for the foolish decisions we have made, and guide us to experience the restoration of your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Jang Ho Park
Jang Ho Park is a pastor in Tacoma, Washington. He and his wife, Jong Boon, have two sons.
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