17/8/13
S: Judges 16:4-31
O: People often think of Samson as a big muscular guy and his hair as something magical. Samson probably was actually a fairly ordinary-looking man, not especially muscular. Otherwise, why would the Philistines keep wondering about the source of his extraordinary strength and want Delilah to find out its secret? If he had big muscles, they would have assumed it was due to his muscles.
Secondly, the long hair was not magic -- it was only a symbol of his Nazarite dedication unto the Lord. As such, the Lord gave him supernatural strength when it was needed.
The fact was that Samson had repeatedly not lived up to his Nazarite vow of dedication. He repeatedly disobeyed the Lord, and Delilah was merely the last in a long string of disobedience. The cutting of the hair was, in effect, the last straw.
This is also recognized in that Samson prayed to the Lord to again give him supernatural strength at the end.
Little by little, over the years, Samson whittled away his Nazarite vow. Since he still had his strength, perhaps he thought he was getting away with it. But eventually came the day of reckoning.
A: We must stay true to our dedication unto the Lord. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a unique people who were called out of darkness into light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Therefore, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
P: Father, when I am faced with the temptation to compromise, let me stay steadfast in Christ. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
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