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Judges 16:18-22 Samson's failure - Day 214

Dear Friends,

Just a few thoughts about Samson as a deliverer.

Blessings,

Jeff

Let us return to the question "How does this story advance the promise of Genesis 3:15?". The promise of a son who will crush the head of the serpent.  The promise of a deliverer. 

Observations

1. Samson was of the tribe of Dan. So he was not the lineage of Jesus.   The promises was refined in Genesis 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

2. The physical downfall of Samson as a result of spiritual compromise.  His passions eventually blind him even as he was blinded physically by the Philistines.  Delilah is the third foreign woman he has loved. The first two lead to defeats of Philistines. Appears that these events led to confidence that he could continue without consequences. But each one was a breach of the law. Repetition of sin is destined for condemnation.

3. God eventually uses Samson's failure to wreak havoc on the Philistines. 

Conclusions

Samson is a deliverer, but a very flawed deliverer.  His parents may have thought that he might be the fulfilment of the promise based on the angelic announcement.  But he turned out to be "a deliver" not "the deliverer".

I think of John Baptist's question to Jesus (Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Matthew 11:2-3.)  There was an awareness that many delivers had come but were not the deliver.  Even John Baptist wondered.  Now that "The Deliverer" has come, we must never look to anyone else as a "better Jesus".  No political or spiritual leader can take His place in our thoughts and affections.

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