Why character matters (Judg 16:1-3)

In a youth group I co-led with a friend, there was a teenager who came to faith. Even after his commitment to Christ, the others thought him a little arrogant, a bit of a know-it-all. When he opened his mouth, it always sounded like a pronouncement from on high that usually led to some eye-rolling among his listeners. It was sometime later, I think it may have been after a summer holiday when we all got back together as a group, that we noticed a marked change in him. He no longer lectured others or sounded self-important. There was an attractive unconcern about himself, a new humility, and a willingness to listen to others without judgment. As I think of him, I remember others whose attitude showed little change after their confession of faith. Some might ask, why does it matter? Isn’t being saved by Christ the main thing?

Ominous signs

The implications of not living consistently for God are clear from Samson’s story. Almost twenty years after becoming judge, he demonstrates little maturity.[1] The pattern of going down to Philistine territory, seeing a woman, and wanting her is repeated (Judg 14:1; 16:1), but this time the woman is a prostitute. We may be reminded of Proverbs where the enticement of the harlot or adulteress leads to death (Prov 7:21-27) and this gives the incident an ominous note. Further, Samson’s leadership is summarised in Judg 15:20, but his death and burial, normally included in the formula (e.g. Judg 12:7-12), are missing so that readers are waiting in suspense for Samson’s demise. It will not come just yet, but a shadow is cast over the events.

Great gifts but moral weakness

In this brief glimpse of an episode, Samson’s enormous strength is juxtaposed with his moral weakness. He is gifted and called to work for the benefit of God’s people, yet gifting is not enough. His lack of godliness will undo the benefit that his abilities and strength could bring to Israel. He has vast potential, but Israel is never freed from Philistine rule in his lifetime (Judg 15:20). In the end, as he repeatedly yields to his lust, it will destroy him. However, for a while, gifting can cover up moral weakness and help one stay afloat. Samson’s great abilities once more come to his rescue, though the incident reads like a teenage prank. In fact, it is almost comic as the Philistines plot and plan, surround the city and guard the gate, ready to pounce and kill Samson when he leaves at dawn (Judg 16:2). Yet, when Samson gets up at midnight, he walks out unhindered and nonchalantly carries off the city gate (Judg 16:3)! The Israelite city of Hebron was 62.5km from Gaza, about 927m above sea-level, and the gate is estimated to have weighed anything between 2,500-5,000kg![2] The image conjured up is that of a man like Gulliver in Lilliput, a giant among midgets. It is hard not to laugh at the Philistines’ expense, as readers wonder – can anything overcome such superhuman strength? Yet the picture is also a tragic one precisely because it seems inconceivable that such power can be overwhelmed and yet it will be.

The choice to live faithfully

Today, the pattern of a secular celebrity culture seeps into the church, so that abilities and gifting are often put on a pedestal and prioritised. A charismatic youth worker, an inspired worship leader, an entertaining preacher can be more highly valued than someone with modest gifts but a Christian character. Then, when the inevitable happens and the revelations about abuse, embezzlement, and the like roll in, all we can do is lament how the mighty have fallen. Samson’s story highlights that gifting without godly commitment will sooner or later lead to failure. Godly character and conforming to God’s image in our behaviour matter because the opposite can undo the good we are hoping to achieve in our calling and gifts. Yet, despite the tragic storyline, we can also be encouraged that in God’s economy strength and weakness are often reversed. Many of us know our limitations in our abilities and feel weak in what we can achieve for God. Yet when we seek Him in faithfulness, His presence will give us strength that is sufficient in our weakness.

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[1] Although we cannot know for sure when Samson went to Gaza, the summary on his leadership as judge in Judg 15:20 suggests that the episodes in chapter 16 constitute the run-up to the end of his life. Note also the way this incident is linked to the events with Delilah (Judg 16:4) again underlining the temporal connection to this latter phase of Samson’s career.

[2] The distance between Gaza and Hebron, as well as the latter’s elevation was taken from Barry G. Webb, The Book of Judges (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012), 395. Based on archaeological evidence, the weight of the gate is cited by Robert B. Chisholm Jr. as somewhere between 5,350-10,700 pounds. A Commentary on Judges and Ruth (Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic, 2013), 416, n.126.

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