In this chapter, there are multiple accounts of Samson's
various conquests over a 20-year period. Let's not retell all the details of
the whole story, but consider at least a listing of the main events.
To avenge the loss of his wife Samson caught 300 foxes (a
sizable accomplishment in and of itself) and used them to burn the Philistines'
harvest to the ground. Then he killed the Philistines who arose in response
against him. Later he was bound willingly by 3000 men of Judah, but broke the
cords off his arms like they were spider webs, and killed 1000 more Philistines
with a donkey's jawbone. Afterward, to quench his thirst, God miraculously gave
Samson water out of that same bone.
From the jawbone story, we see the amazing grace of God.
Notice that one of the Nazarite vow conditions was violated again in the
process of Samson's vigorous efforts against his enemies. Samson was not
supposed to touch anything dead, yet God blessed him and used him in killing
1000 Philistines while he held a dead donkey's jawbone in his hand. He even
gave Samson water to drink from that same dead animal part, which one could assume
that to drink from it Samson had to be touching again. Why would God bless him
if he was doing something in direct contradiction to the standards that God
himself had set? God's grace picks us up
where we fall. While rebellion is despised by God, our weaknesses are not
despised... and there is a difference. Humanity lives in a world cursed by sin.
Everywhere we turn there are occasions that demonstrate the effects of the fall
on us. If God didn't condescend to using us despite some of our flaws, he would
never use any of us at all.
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