Samson, a Judge of Israel, loved and wanted to marry the daughter of Philistines despite the advise of his parents (Judge 14:3) and the prohibition of Mosaic Law (Exodus 34:16). Samson made a wedding feast with 30 companions of Philistines. He told a riddle to his 30 companions that if they can explain the riddle they would get the the wager was 30 linen garments and 30 sets of clothes. If not, Samson would get the wager. The riddle was difficult and Philistines threatened Samson’s wife to coax the explanation of the riddle (14:30) . She tricked her husband and got the answer, consequently Samson gave the wager to Philistines. Samson’s father-in-law thought Samson would hate his wife and then gave his wife to his friend instead. Unimpressed with the offer of his wife’s younger sister, Samson retaliate Philistines by burning the grain fields. The Philistines also retaliate Samson by burning his wife and father-in-law alive to death. Samson viciously slaughtered many Philistines.
God did not wish His chosen people Israelites to mingle with Gentiles so that they could be holy and not learning the ways of Gentiles. In Samson’s time, Philistines were ruling Israel. Although Samson was disobedient to God’s Law, impulsive, and revengeful, God could use this occasion to confront Philistines and deliver His people (14:4), thus fulfilling His purpose. God often uses human wicked to accomplish His good will!
Reflection Questions:
- What did Samson do after learning what his father-in-law did?
- What did Philistines do after Samson burn the grain field?
- Why they did both parties not revenge to the ones they were against?
- How does God use human flaw to accomplish God’s will?
- What did Jesus teach about revenge? (Romans 12:19-21)
- When confronted by (Matt 18:15-17)