- Mar 4, 2012
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I dont know how many are familiar with the story of Sgt York, but if you get the chance you would be highly inspired by watching the black & white biography starring Carey Grant (the actor hand picked by the real Sgt York to play himself), or at least doing an internet search for some background. Then youll better appreciate the context of this profile of Samson.
Sgt York was a world war I hero; a very unlikely hero because, not only was he a Christian, but a conscientious objector due to his convictions that fighting would force him to disobey Gods edict Thou shalt not kill. He very reluctantly went to war, and even more reluctantly killed, and only when in the very heat of battle because he saw his men being slaughtered by the Kaisers army.
He did not intend to be a war hero, and was also reluctant to be awarded because it had been for killing. Nevertheless, the sincere, humble York made for a very colorful character whom I liken to Samson in his day.
York was a sharp shooter from the hills of Tennessee, as I recall. In fact, he won a shooting contest, and being originally from Tennessee myself, I can tell you that it is no easy feat to beat out all those backwoods boys who are literally raised up with shotguns and rifles over their shoulders where walking around with guns and shooting anywhere was just a common sight.
But York wasnt your picture of a nice, hospitable country hayseed, unless your picture of the typical hayseed included fist fights, moonshine drinking, cussin, and generally raising Cain, and having nothing to do with them religious folk.
To put it in context; in those days in Tennessee practically everyone was poor, especially by the standards of the average American today. You had to hunt what you ate, and only the favored ones could afford to raise more than a few chickens and a pig or two. No part of an animal went to waste, from the feathers that filled pillows, to the nose of a pig, which I cant remember the taste of. Nothing was safe from the shotgun from sparrows to coons. Every man had at least one dog, who was for hunting and companionship. Fishing was a matter of grown cane with a string and earth worm attached, and it saved many who could not afford shells or livestock. It was a time of itinerant doctors, teachers, and often preachers.
York had been swindled out of some land that he had worked very hard to earn.York was actually on his way to murder this man when a storm blew up, and he was literally knocked off his beast by lightning! His gun had been the magnet, and it lay there smoking and twisted from the strike. The animal he rode was dead, if I recall, but York was untouched, though dazed. It had been an epiphany to end all epiphanies, and he followed the sound of distant singing through the hard falling rain to a little church in the woods.
No one could ever, ever have imagined that the hard fightin and drinking York would come humbly down the aisle, soaked in rain to accept Jesus, God of thunder, as Lord of his life.
Now, its hard to read between the lines of Samsons story because for ages he has only been remembered as the immoral strong man who was suckered into a hair cut by a harlot. Maybe its because I relate to Samsons failure so much that I inadvertently found myself seeing more to the character than most pulpits perceive. I dont see Samson as being the failure that people consider him to be. I dont think he failed at all, although he failed to live up to all the potential that he could have realized for his life. He was a judge of Israel, and in that, he succeeded - all by himself. More on that later. The only real failure I see in Samson isnt moral at all, but that his eyes werent on God, but himself. God took advantage of this though, and used Samson in spite of himself. The glory is always to Gods glory and his lovingkindness.
Samson was born to a barren woman; and any time you start with a barren woman in the bible, you always end up with a miraculous character of legendary renown. He bares great similarity to John the Baptist, of all people. Both had barren mothers. John the Baptist was actually in line to be the High Priest, being the son of one Zechariah, who had received the prophecy of John while behind the veil burning incense. I dont think he was in the Holy of Holies. Just like John, Samson never cut his hair. They both were loners. Those long strands of hair most likely formed dreadlocks. How do I know? Well, John went nuts, spiritually, and forsook the world to live in the wilderness, covered in an animal skin like his predecessor, Elijah. He was a wild holy man of fire, and he collected his sustenance from bee hives, and ate locusts (Some say the locust is some sort of plant or something, rather than crickets, but Im not so sure). This did not afford a comb, and the natural result would be dreadlocks.
Samson pretty much testifies to this when he tells Delilah that he has 7 locks. Hair does not divide into great locks like that unless they have been naturally woven together by a lack of combing, which can be seen in many Rastafarians.. Its funny how the things you notice in life come to benefit when reading the bible!
Samson was one of the rare Nazarites, separated unto God as holy by not shaving or drinking wine, or touching the dead or anything defiled. Most Nazarites are such by devotion to a vow for a time, but Samson was appointed by the word of God through an angel, from the womb. This is like John who was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. I wonder how Armenians handle that one. The story of Samsons ministry begins thusly: And the woman bore a son, and called his name Samson. And the youth grew, and Jehovah blessed him. And the Spirit of Jehovah began to move him in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol. (Jdg 13:24-25).
In Jdg 16:31, at the death of Samson, he is said to have judged Israel for 20 years. Heres what I mean by reading between the lines. I dont know what Judges did other than beat up their enemies, but it appears that the only part of Samsons ministry (and yes it is a ministry) is the part where he is falling. It does not say that he was beating up Philistines this whole time, and it doesnt look like he was or else they would have been out to get him much earlier. I tend to think that this is why God utilized Samsons only weakness in order to seek occasion against the Philistines. And his father and his mother did not know that it was from Jehovah, that He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel. (Jdg 14:4).
My impression is that Samson was strutting around Israel like a rock star. Like York, no one could top him. He was a very distinguished character even without his spirit infused, superhuman power; and not enough has been said to describe just how incredible, how beyond the imagination that strength was.
He had seven thick dreadlocks that draped over his shoulders and most likely went beyond his feet, having had more than two decades to grow them. The symbolism in 7 locks, no more, no less, is not without notice in spiritual significance. He was a loner, but probably coveted by the ladies, and when he saw one he liked, nothing on earth could hold him back. But it was the Lord who directed his infatuations toward the very women that Jews were forbidden to touch. Ill give my theory in awhile.
He was the toughest of all, but he also was wonderfully witty and poetic. And Samson and his father and his mother went down to Timnath. And they came to the vineyards of Timnath. And, behold, a young lion roaring to meet him. And the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily on him. And he tore it as the cleaving of a kid. And there was nothing in his hand; and he did not tell his father and his mother what he had done. (Jdg 14:5-6)And some days later he returned to take her, and turned aside to see the remains of the lion. And, behold, a bee-swarm in the carcass of the lion, and honey. And he took it out on his hands, and went on, eating and walking. And he went to his father and to his mother, and gave some to them. And they ate, but he did not tell them that he took the honey out of the body of the lion. (Jdg 14:8-9)
And Samson said to them, Please let me riddle a riddle to you. If declaring you declare it to me in the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I shall give you thirty linen blouses and thirty changes of garments. And if you are not able to tell me, then you shall give me thirty linen blouses and thirty changes of garments. And they said to him, Riddle your riddle, and we shall hear it. And he said to them, Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they were not able to declare the riddle in three days. (Jdg 14:12-14)
How many people can take an every day event and turn it into a lyrical riddle? A second example is after defeating an army single-handedly: And he found a fresh jawbone of an ass, and put out his hand and took it. And he struck a thousand men with it. And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, a heap, two heaps, with the jawbone of an ass I have killed a thousand men. (Jdg 15:15-16) This is so reminiscent of the young Muhammad Ali (Casshus Clay), who, not only kicked your butt, but made rhymes about it!
Another thing that might be pointed out is that although the encounter with the lion had nothing to do with fighting Philistines, the spirit of God gave Samson victory, and I think this is demonstrative of the kind of what Samson was doing those 20 years; almost as if God was just preparing Samson, but Samson couldnt see the significance of his calling. He might have even been called upon during that time to deliver his people in small skirmishes.
Samsons wit can also be seen in his hillbilly like creativity, and here is where his backwoods skill is gloriously evident as well: And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took torches, and turned tail to tail, and put a torch between the two tails, in the middle. And he kindled fire on the torches, and sent them out into the grain-stalks of the Philistines, and burned from the stacks and the grain-stalks, and to the vineyard and the oliveyard. (Jdg 15:4-5)
Of all the things a person could think of to do for revenge, this is by far the most creative I have ever heard of. It is as epic as the legend of the Trojan horse! Imagine the cunning and patience it took to capture three-hundred-foxes!!! Why not a dog or jackal here and there? Why not a bunch of chickens or other fowl? If youve ever trapped anything, you may realize the difficulty of specifying one single species. This man managed it, not once or even a dozen times, but THREE HUNDRED time!!!! This wasnt a city boy! The 7 dreadlocked goldenboy was extraordinary, and this he accomplished without superhuman strength, you see.
As to his reclusiveness, it can be seen when you consider that he could have asked for help in this feat, but never forget that Samson alone is distinguished as a Judge by the fact that he never once asked, nor was offered assistance in fighting the Philistines, not even when facing an army. His people actually preferred to hand him over to them in order to prevent battle. Poor Samson, so misunderstood. So abandoned. Yet there is not a hint of resentment on his part.
So, in order to get Samsons focus on his calling, God had given him an attraction to Philistine women, but they would be his downfall. Remember, there are only two mentioned, so get the notion of a womanizing Samson out of your mind. It is never recorded. He was a good guy, just a little self centered, thats all. The first woman he wanted, he coerced his parents to get for him to marry, not fornicate with; but the second one seems to have caught him in a rebound mode: And Samson went to Gaza, and saw a woman there, a harlot, and went in to her. (Jdg 16:1) What was he doing in Gaza in the first place? Was he looking for a replacement for his love, so heinously murdered by her own people? If she had not been a harlot, he might have even offered her marriage. Who knows? But there is no indication that he was looking for a harlot. Maybe he just longed for some female comfort after a battle with one thousand soldiers! Give the guy a break!
Sgt York was a world war I hero; a very unlikely hero because, not only was he a Christian, but a conscientious objector due to his convictions that fighting would force him to disobey Gods edict Thou shalt not kill. He very reluctantly went to war, and even more reluctantly killed, and only when in the very heat of battle because he saw his men being slaughtered by the Kaisers army.
He did not intend to be a war hero, and was also reluctant to be awarded because it had been for killing. Nevertheless, the sincere, humble York made for a very colorful character whom I liken to Samson in his day.
York was a sharp shooter from the hills of Tennessee, as I recall. In fact, he won a shooting contest, and being originally from Tennessee myself, I can tell you that it is no easy feat to beat out all those backwoods boys who are literally raised up with shotguns and rifles over their shoulders where walking around with guns and shooting anywhere was just a common sight.
But York wasnt your picture of a nice, hospitable country hayseed, unless your picture of the typical hayseed included fist fights, moonshine drinking, cussin, and generally raising Cain, and having nothing to do with them religious folk.
To put it in context; in those days in Tennessee practically everyone was poor, especially by the standards of the average American today. You had to hunt what you ate, and only the favored ones could afford to raise more than a few chickens and a pig or two. No part of an animal went to waste, from the feathers that filled pillows, to the nose of a pig, which I cant remember the taste of. Nothing was safe from the shotgun from sparrows to coons. Every man had at least one dog, who was for hunting and companionship. Fishing was a matter of grown cane with a string and earth worm attached, and it saved many who could not afford shells or livestock. It was a time of itinerant doctors, teachers, and often preachers.
York had been swindled out of some land that he had worked very hard to earn.York was actually on his way to murder this man when a storm blew up, and he was literally knocked off his beast by lightning! His gun had been the magnet, and it lay there smoking and twisted from the strike. The animal he rode was dead, if I recall, but York was untouched, though dazed. It had been an epiphany to end all epiphanies, and he followed the sound of distant singing through the hard falling rain to a little church in the woods.
No one could ever, ever have imagined that the hard fightin and drinking York would come humbly down the aisle, soaked in rain to accept Jesus, God of thunder, as Lord of his life.
Now, its hard to read between the lines of Samsons story because for ages he has only been remembered as the immoral strong man who was suckered into a hair cut by a harlot. Maybe its because I relate to Samsons failure so much that I inadvertently found myself seeing more to the character than most pulpits perceive. I dont see Samson as being the failure that people consider him to be. I dont think he failed at all, although he failed to live up to all the potential that he could have realized for his life. He was a judge of Israel, and in that, he succeeded - all by himself. More on that later. The only real failure I see in Samson isnt moral at all, but that his eyes werent on God, but himself. God took advantage of this though, and used Samson in spite of himself. The glory is always to Gods glory and his lovingkindness.
Samson was born to a barren woman; and any time you start with a barren woman in the bible, you always end up with a miraculous character of legendary renown. He bares great similarity to John the Baptist, of all people. Both had barren mothers. John the Baptist was actually in line to be the High Priest, being the son of one Zechariah, who had received the prophecy of John while behind the veil burning incense. I dont think he was in the Holy of Holies. Just like John, Samson never cut his hair. They both were loners. Those long strands of hair most likely formed dreadlocks. How do I know? Well, John went nuts, spiritually, and forsook the world to live in the wilderness, covered in an animal skin like his predecessor, Elijah. He was a wild holy man of fire, and he collected his sustenance from bee hives, and ate locusts (Some say the locust is some sort of plant or something, rather than crickets, but Im not so sure). This did not afford a comb, and the natural result would be dreadlocks.
Samson pretty much testifies to this when he tells Delilah that he has 7 locks. Hair does not divide into great locks like that unless they have been naturally woven together by a lack of combing, which can be seen in many Rastafarians.. Its funny how the things you notice in life come to benefit when reading the bible!
Samson was one of the rare Nazarites, separated unto God as holy by not shaving or drinking wine, or touching the dead or anything defiled. Most Nazarites are such by devotion to a vow for a time, but Samson was appointed by the word of God through an angel, from the womb. This is like John who was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. I wonder how Armenians handle that one. The story of Samsons ministry begins thusly: And the woman bore a son, and called his name Samson. And the youth grew, and Jehovah blessed him. And the Spirit of Jehovah began to move him in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol. (Jdg 13:24-25).
In Jdg 16:31, at the death of Samson, he is said to have judged Israel for 20 years. Heres what I mean by reading between the lines. I dont know what Judges did other than beat up their enemies, but it appears that the only part of Samsons ministry (and yes it is a ministry) is the part where he is falling. It does not say that he was beating up Philistines this whole time, and it doesnt look like he was or else they would have been out to get him much earlier. I tend to think that this is why God utilized Samsons only weakness in order to seek occasion against the Philistines. And his father and his mother did not know that it was from Jehovah, that He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel. (Jdg 14:4).
My impression is that Samson was strutting around Israel like a rock star. Like York, no one could top him. He was a very distinguished character even without his spirit infused, superhuman power; and not enough has been said to describe just how incredible, how beyond the imagination that strength was.
He had seven thick dreadlocks that draped over his shoulders and most likely went beyond his feet, having had more than two decades to grow them. The symbolism in 7 locks, no more, no less, is not without notice in spiritual significance. He was a loner, but probably coveted by the ladies, and when he saw one he liked, nothing on earth could hold him back. But it was the Lord who directed his infatuations toward the very women that Jews were forbidden to touch. Ill give my theory in awhile.
He was the toughest of all, but he also was wonderfully witty and poetic. And Samson and his father and his mother went down to Timnath. And they came to the vineyards of Timnath. And, behold, a young lion roaring to meet him. And the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily on him. And he tore it as the cleaving of a kid. And there was nothing in his hand; and he did not tell his father and his mother what he had done. (Jdg 14:5-6)And some days later he returned to take her, and turned aside to see the remains of the lion. And, behold, a bee-swarm in the carcass of the lion, and honey. And he took it out on his hands, and went on, eating and walking. And he went to his father and to his mother, and gave some to them. And they ate, but he did not tell them that he took the honey out of the body of the lion. (Jdg 14:8-9)
And Samson said to them, Please let me riddle a riddle to you. If declaring you declare it to me in the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I shall give you thirty linen blouses and thirty changes of garments. And if you are not able to tell me, then you shall give me thirty linen blouses and thirty changes of garments. And they said to him, Riddle your riddle, and we shall hear it. And he said to them, Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they were not able to declare the riddle in three days. (Jdg 14:12-14)
How many people can take an every day event and turn it into a lyrical riddle? A second example is after defeating an army single-handedly: And he found a fresh jawbone of an ass, and put out his hand and took it. And he struck a thousand men with it. And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, a heap, two heaps, with the jawbone of an ass I have killed a thousand men. (Jdg 15:15-16) This is so reminiscent of the young Muhammad Ali (Casshus Clay), who, not only kicked your butt, but made rhymes about it!
Another thing that might be pointed out is that although the encounter with the lion had nothing to do with fighting Philistines, the spirit of God gave Samson victory, and I think this is demonstrative of the kind of what Samson was doing those 20 years; almost as if God was just preparing Samson, but Samson couldnt see the significance of his calling. He might have even been called upon during that time to deliver his people in small skirmishes.
Samsons wit can also be seen in his hillbilly like creativity, and here is where his backwoods skill is gloriously evident as well: And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took torches, and turned tail to tail, and put a torch between the two tails, in the middle. And he kindled fire on the torches, and sent them out into the grain-stalks of the Philistines, and burned from the stacks and the grain-stalks, and to the vineyard and the oliveyard. (Jdg 15:4-5)
Of all the things a person could think of to do for revenge, this is by far the most creative I have ever heard of. It is as epic as the legend of the Trojan horse! Imagine the cunning and patience it took to capture three-hundred-foxes!!! Why not a dog or jackal here and there? Why not a bunch of chickens or other fowl? If youve ever trapped anything, you may realize the difficulty of specifying one single species. This man managed it, not once or even a dozen times, but THREE HUNDRED time!!!! This wasnt a city boy! The 7 dreadlocked goldenboy was extraordinary, and this he accomplished without superhuman strength, you see.
As to his reclusiveness, it can be seen when you consider that he could have asked for help in this feat, but never forget that Samson alone is distinguished as a Judge by the fact that he never once asked, nor was offered assistance in fighting the Philistines, not even when facing an army. His people actually preferred to hand him over to them in order to prevent battle. Poor Samson, so misunderstood. So abandoned. Yet there is not a hint of resentment on his part.
So, in order to get Samsons focus on his calling, God had given him an attraction to Philistine women, but they would be his downfall. Remember, there are only two mentioned, so get the notion of a womanizing Samson out of your mind. It is never recorded. He was a good guy, just a little self centered, thats all. The first woman he wanted, he coerced his parents to get for him to marry, not fornicate with; but the second one seems to have caught him in a rebound mode: And Samson went to Gaza, and saw a woman there, a harlot, and went in to her. (Jdg 16:1) What was he doing in Gaza in the first place? Was he looking for a replacement for his love, so heinously murdered by her own people? If she had not been a harlot, he might have even offered her marriage. Who knows? But there is no indication that he was looking for a harlot. Maybe he just longed for some female comfort after a battle with one thousand soldiers! Give the guy a break!
