Samson

WED., MAY 25, 1988, 6:09 AM
FARM, STUDY

Samson is the main character in a familiar Bible story, one you even know well. Since you are using stories so well in your class this week I shall expand on this Scriptural tale, just for your own edification. When you are in a regular commitment the themes can vary even more than when you come occasionally. Hear, o son, of strength and weakness, and a time for each.

The story of Samson is truly a strange one to be part of Holy Scripture. It is dramatic in several ways, so it is memorable. The historical detail and accuracy are not important for this analysis. Just read the story again when you have completed this.

It is truly a tale of strength and of weakness, of gentleness and violence, of love and of treachery. As told it also is a tale of My power within a person, in allegorical form. Samson is My man, with strength from Me, but maintained through an aspect of self, his hair. He had great strength as long as he didn’t cut his hair. This instruction came from Me, and he knew it. With long hair he had great strength; without it he was weak. It was a connection no one would easily guess or otherwise determine. We had a bargain, and his end was rather simple to uphold.

In many ways I have given persons strengths of many kinds and varieties. (Remember My penchant for diversity.) The conditions for maintaining this strength are rather easy and simple. Yet many slip, just as Samson did. This that you and I do together gives you a strength. It also is a test. You could lose it. The cause of such loss is not as evident to you as Samson’s hair, but it could become so. Be aware. Jimmy Swaggart was given strength as a fundamental preacher of My Gospel. He had a weakness and, figuratively, his hair was cut. Can he regain his strength? like Samson? Other more vital weaknesses must be curbed, but it is possible.

The story of Samson is not a shining saga of right triumphing over wrong. Rather it exemplifies relative strength and relative weakness. Samson succumbed to seduction and, stupidly, lost his strength. His enemies took advantage of this, but, stupidly, they did not expect this power from Me to regenerate with his growing hair. One trick… one seduction was sufficient to permanently weaken the strong man. As his hair grew back he knew My power was returning, but he did not exhibit it foolishly and prematurely. It was simple. He waited for the return of that which he had given up.

He was weak, and yet he was faithful. He wanted to use this gift from Me for Me. He found no way to do it positively and gloriously. Then came the opportunity to use his strength in the destruction of these enemies (who were spiritually weaker than he… yet still My creations). It was a final act, for he gave up his life as well. Out of weakness came the strength of sacrifice.

The story is not completely unlike that of Mine, as Jesus. My strength was clear and evident on Palm Sunday. I gave it up during the week, and I was weak and humble before Pilate. I gave up My life in apparent weakness, but now Christians know it to be an act of strength.

The Samson story also suggests that relations between man and woman can be destructive… may diminish the strength and exacerbate the weakness. Be joyous that your relationship is a good one, but relations between these two sexes are part of the test of earth life.