Hebrews 11:32-34 (Daily Verse and Comment)

  Hebrews 11:32-34

(32) And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: (33) Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. (34) Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 
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In a way, Samson was a narcissist. From his birth, he was the "special boy," a miracle child. His parents likely doted on him because of this miraculous beginning. Scripture tells us that his parents caved to his every desire, and despite this, he does not treat them with a great deal of respect. For example, when he desires to marry, he tells his father, "Give me that Philistine girl as my wife!" He did not entreat or ask: "Dad, I'd like to go down to Timnah and see this woman. Do you think this is good? Do you think you could please arrange it for me?" No, it was, "Get me this woman!"

But behind the scenes, God was working with him. Even so, Samson's attitude throughout most of his judgeship was quite selfish. His pursuit of his carnal desires is a case in point. He pigheadedly and foolishly blundered into situations that a little wiser person, one less sure of himself, would have approached a bit more cautiously. Also, in many of these situations, Samson is proud, touchy, quick to anger, and swift to knock others on the head with the jawbone of an ass.

Only at the very end of his life, when he volunteers to sacrifice himself to gain a victory for Israel—after being severely humbled by blinding, slavery, and mockery of the Philistines—does he make a real breakthrough. Then he dies.

Finally, God had brought him to the point where he said, "God, if you will it, I will do what needs to be done to give Israel a victory." God says, "That is the attitude I was looking for all along. Go!"

— Richard T. Ritenbaugh