The Temple Sacrifice

Today's Verse

Judges 16:28 (NKJV)

Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”

Thoughts

The story of Samson in the Bible is very well known both in the Christian and non-Christian communities. It is the story of a man who was called and appointed by God even before birth to be the deliverer and judge for Israel. The concept of judge during that time is different from the judges we have today, who wear long black robes, they sit at court houses, and hammering the gavel. Judges in the time of Samson are ordinary people like town elders, appointed by God or leaders, sitting by the city gate, and performing judgment whenever two persons have issues. Few examples were Lot sitting by the city gate at Sodom, Moses judging the people of Israel, and Joshua who succeeded Moses.

Samson’s story is both bad and good. He was raised from a very godly family, we may nick name him as “Sunny”, and was set apart by God as a Nazirite – which means he should not take any wine products, he should not touch any dead thing, and no razor or scissor should come near his hair (Judges 13). And if he does, God’s Spirit will be with him, and he will have tremendous power, wisdom, and strength – and Samson was! Many great Bible characters were born from barren mothers, and Samson is one of them. They really must be God-made heroes.

Initially, Samson was doing well for the Spirit of the Lord was moving through him (Judges 13:25). But in chapter 14, sudden shift of event happened for Samson took charge of the stirring wheel of his life, and drove “down” to Timnah – a Philistine town. What he’s gonna do in a Philistine town when God called him to be judge in Israel? Many times we are like that, we cannot wait to take control of our lives, instead of letting the Holy Spirit lead us. By then, Samson began his spiritual and moral descent, he had broken the vow of being a Nazirite by going through the vineyards, killing a lion with his bare hands, and eating honey taken from the dead lion. Only one rule was left unbroken, having a haircut at the Devil’s salon.

He engaged himself with Philistine women until he was caught up with Delilah – who made him weak, as the name implies. And finally, he gave in to have his haircut, then the Spirit of the Lord left him. Now, Samson is totally not a Nazirite anymore for he broke all the rules, his giver of strength and power left him – and was turned to nothing by his enemies, but as a donkey grinding the wheels. Until one day, he made a final request for the Spirit of God to strengthen him again – his hair may have grown back for sometime, he turned his trust back to God, to make his life as final sacrifice in the temple of his enemies. God acknowledged his faith.

Are you living or planning to live your own life after giving it to the Lord? Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4). Don’t waste your life, give it to Jesus. Don’t wait before it’s too late – abide in the Lord.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, help us to abide in You that we may live holy lives before You. You bought us with Your blood, and we are yours. You are praise worthy and there is none like You. Amen.