Intervening Power of Resurrection

Martin P Gabler—Samson’s story is one of the intervening power of resurrection. There was a time when this avowed Nazarite had envisioned every Philistine defeated and every Israelite free. It was something he had plainly seen… at one time. As he matured and realized his destiny, he acted out what he had envisioned. It was something he could grasp… before certain persons distracted him. It was something he could plainly see… before he lost his eyes in a game of touchy-feely with those he was avowed not to have relationship with. A little honey out of the mouth of a dead lion’s carcass to satiate a genuine, legitimate hunger wouldn’t be condemned by anyone (even if it was a forbidden matter for a Nazarite). A little wine (the context intimates that Samson also drank), the refreshing, nourishing drink of the day (but strictly forbidden for Nazarites) was not given so much as a second thought by anyone. Forbidden relationship with three Philistine women (not just one, but three) did not seem to arouse concern in anyone but his parents. Vows made and vows broken tragically became the order of the day as values and *mores were eaten away by the consistent numbing effects of exposure to those things of defilement. Endless taunts and jibes at the man’s ego brought desired reckless reaction. All intended attempts of the enemy to take the man out were driving a cold, hard wedge between him and his calling.   [*(mo·res (môr“aze”) pl.n. 1. The accepted traditional customs and usages of a particular social group. 2. Moral attitudes. 3. Manners; ways.}] This is a time in history when we should learn from Samson’s mistakes and carefully guard against distractions, reckless reactions and the numbing effects of defilement to overcome those enemies which seek to utterly defeat us.