Reversing the Ending

Naaman began as a sick man but ended whole. Ghiezi was the other way around. Eleazar began as an outlaw hiding in a cave but ended as a mighty warrior. Sampson began strong but ended up destroyed.

Judges 14:1-3 explains Sampson's life philosophy "Get her for me, for she looks good to me." In other words if you like it, just do it. His only argument to back up such a philosophy is, "she looks good." We over stimulate the use of our eyes. Everything has to be attractive. This is what causes people to have a complex because there is such a competition for looking if not better than everyone else than to at least look good. Since some feel they can't compete they turn to such easy exits as anorexia or pornography to name just a couple. You see a girl might feel incapable of being as pretty as other girls and so she turns to anorexia. Or a guy might feel incapable of winning over the admiration of the girls around him and so he turns to another source of satisfaction. Judges 14:8-9 proved how far Sampson was willing to develop bad philosophies. Here his new philosophy is, "everything is lawful, as long as you don't get found out." Proverbs 28:13 promises prosperity to those who confess and forsake their sins. If sins are not confessed and forsaken instead of prospering they putrefy. Yes, that's right they rot. Judges 16:1 makes matters worse by giving free reign to his impulses. According to Freud the reason for most of our conflicts and traumas is due to repressed impulses. Proverbs 16:2 says, "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city." Sampson could dominate an entire city, he just couldn't control his own body. Judges 16:6-7, 9-17 basically presents us with his newest philosophy, "It's O.K. to play with sin, nothing happens." With each philosophy he bought into a new lie. Although obviously aware that he was under the risk of danger instead of leaving her (Delilah) and running away he decided to stay. He decided to stay and keep playing with sin. Proverbs 6:27-29 explains quite well what would happen to Sampson. This is also what will happen to us. It's a proven fact of life. If you play with fire you will get burned. There are always consequences. Judges 16:18-21 tells us of his last folly, the final philosophy. Sampson thought himself invincible. Sampson's life ended badly. He'd spent his life playing with others. He had toyed with other people through riddles and other tricks but now it was their turn. Now he was their toy.

(Disclaimer: These are just some thoughts taken from a sermon delivered by Daniel Oubel on February 2, 2007.)