But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron. Judges 16:3-4
Dear HBIC Family,
One of my Old Testament professors in seminary used to love to remind us that God is always the hero of the story. By this he meant that, as we learn more about the people of the Bible, we will learn more about the patience, mercy, grace, and love of God. He meant that, while we will see people triumph, we will also see many of God’s people fail. Though we have been taught and teach about the heroes and heroines of the Bible, God is the only real hero.
This is especially helpful this week as we look at a specific episode in the life of Samson. Samson was a son of promise, called by God to serve his people. He was set apart to lead the people in a way that uplifted the people and brought honor and glory to God. Samson was supposed to be a kind of leader who reflected the words, actions, and character of God, before the people, their neighbors, and their world.
Yet, the story of Samson is one tragic episode after another. He is the seventh and final Judge in the line of Israelite leadership of his time, an era marked by a shift from positive to overwhelmingly negative. It was a time when Israel moved from completely trusting God, being united as one and seeing victory over enemies, to disobedience to God that even turns to idolatry, fragmentation among God’s people, and oppression by enemies.
Our story this week is in Judges 16. It is the beginning of Samson’s final chapter. In the midst of Samson and Israel’s disobedience, in the middle of an attack from known enemies, and in the middle of the night, God was there. May we be comforted to know that God’s goodness and faithfulness, love and mercy, grace and help, is not dependent on us. God shows up in powerful ways on our behalf because that is who God is.
As we continue our God at Midnight series this week, I invite you to read and meditate on Judges 16. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:
- Where do you see darkness in this story? Where do you see light?
- What do we learn about God in Samson’s story?
- What do we learn about ourselves in Samson’s story?
- Why was it important for the people to obey and fully trust God?
- Why do you think God has asked this story to be passed on to future generations?
Samson’s story is one that those of us who grew up in church tend to remember from Sunday School or maybe even VBS. We remember that he was strong, set apart by God and for his people, and empowered by the Spirit. Yet, when we circle back as adults, now we see the human Samson: the one who was weak, the one who was more like his world than his God, and the one who did not always surrender to the Holy Spirit.
Scripture sometimes gives us a complicated picture of life. That is good, because simple is simply complicated. The saints we learn about are sinners, too. The heroes and heroines we admire are humans, too. It makes sense that God is present here too, among them, in us, and for the world, not matter what midnight comes.
Sisters and brothers, praise God whose power and presence is not dependent on our work or will. Praise the Holy Spirit that leads, even when we turn away from the light. And praise Jesus who took on darkness, so that we can walk in the light. God bless you all!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank (Judges 16:3-4)