Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 83: Samson & Delilah

Good afternoon, everyone.

Today I read Judges 16-18.

And today we get to the story of Samson and Delilah.

Only it's not exactly the story we are taught as children. Yes, Delilah tricks Samson. Yes, he tells her his secret. Yes, she cuts off his hair. Yes, he loses his strength. Yes, he triumphs in the end with God's help against the Philistines.

However, we miss a big part of the story when that's all we know.

For example: Delilah does not ask one time. Or even two. 

She asks Samson many times about his secret. There's no way he couldn't have known what was going on. But he had a weakness for beautiful women.

And in the end, the loss of his strength, his capture, and his death, was as much his own fault as hers.

At least, I think so.

That's kind of a downer, huh?

Sorry. I didn't realize I was going to feel this way about Samson's story.

But at least I'm honest, right?

I don't expect people in the Bible to be perfect. In fact, I've mentioned many times how much I learn about God, His plan, and His mercy through the imperfect people in the Bible.

I guess I just paid closer attention this time and was irritated because I sometimes feel like Samson is portrayed as a superhero. And he's not. He was human. Just like all the other flawed people that God chose, and still chooses, for His service.

And I think it's okay to teach that to our kids. Maybe tone down how much Samson liked women for the younger ones, but it's okay to portray him as flawed. It wasn't completely Delilah's fault. Samson had a part to play in his own downfall. And that's okay too.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies.

And I don't think it's wrong to teach our children that. It's okay to have weaknesses and to fail. We just also have to teach them to rely on God, who has no weaknesses and who never fails.

Samson's capture turns around because he cries out to God to save him, to give him strength one last time.

And God listened. Because He loves His people. And He wants us to cry out to Him in our weaknesses and troubles.

So, I guess that's what I learned today.

If you're still with me, I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Judges 19-21.