By: Obed Pineda
Induction into the Hall of Fame is considered to be the crown of achievement of a person’s illustrious career. It is, without a doubt, the ultimate show of respect and acknowledgment to a being’s arduous commitment to their respective field. Some selections are abundantly clear since their contributions have made an indelible impact that helped create great progress for generations to come. However, there are other inductees whose inclusion into the Hall of Fame can often times be somewhat puzzling. Even though their addition to such a prestigious group of individuals may seem inaccurate, wisdom voices caution about readily dismissing someone without having all of the facts revolving around their achievements (cf. Proverbs 18:13). This is certainly true when one reads in Holy Writ, “and what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of aliens” (Hebrews 11:32-34). Remember that Hebrews 11 has been dubbed as “The Hall of Faith,” which displays extraordinary examples of men and women full of faith, similar to the Hall of Fame. When perusing this spiritual hall, there are names whose absence makes a potent declaration that earthly accomplishments are not the sole requirement to be added to this blessed wall. The same principal must be applied when seeking to decipher the Holy Spirit’s decision to include others, such as Samson. For this humble writer, Samson’s induction into the Hall of Faith can become bewildering when studying his life story (cf. Judges 13-16). When reading in Scripture about Samson’s narcissistic behavior during his twenty year tenure as a judge in Israel, admittedly it complicates comprehending how the end of his life is enough for him to earn a place among the elite of faith. Keeping in mind that it is God Himself who has deemed Samson worthy of being included among other great warriors of faith such as Noah, Abraham, and David, it behooves us to recall His lesson to the prophet Samuel as He warned, “the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1st Samuel 16:7b). Truthfully, this writer’s questions about Samson being qualified to be ranked among other godly servants reveals a flawed train of thought common among the vast majority. A person’s faults does not define the person himself, because redemption is available to all. Ergo, it is crucial to set aside personal opinions about the man and allow God’s divine revelation to illuminate our understanding concerning Samson’s faith. When making the attempt to understand the Scripture under consideration, it is vital to begin by piecing together all of the context that surrounds it. In this case, the selection of Samson is linked with his final self-sacrifice at the temple of Dagon, the Philistines’ god (cf. Hebrews 11:34c, Judges 16:21-30). Samson’s haughty spirit paved the way for his humiliating downfall, true to the warning delineated by the proverb regarding pride (cf. Proverbs 16:18). His love of this world and the things it offers entangled him into Delilah’s web and “as a bird hastens to the snare, he did not know it would cost his life” (Proverbs 7:23b, cf. Judges 16:20). Samson had neglected the gift that had been granted to him by heaven. He had abused and misused it for his own personal gain, and not to liberate Israel from the Philistine yoke. His lust of the eyes left him blind, his lust of the flesh bound him as a prisoner of war, and his pride of life reduced him to becoming a working beast for his enemies as their grinder and later a spectacle for their entertainment (cf. Judges 16:21, 25). There is no doubt that Samson’s moral was at an all time low, and (from a human perspective) it would even be understandable had he chosen to give up and die. Yet, here is where the Hebrew amanuensis connects Samson to his audience. The purpose for manifesting the precious Hall of Faith was to encourage endurance to an audience who felt defeated by heavy persecution. Their discouragement had them wondering if they had made the right choice in leaving Judaism behind by continuing on the path of Christ. The Hebrew penman reminded them that “we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:39). Immediately following this encouraging reminder, the inspired writer begins to exhibit the members who fill the Hall of Faith who did not turn back despite the adversities they encountered on their spiritual journey. Some were confronted by tribulation that stemmed from the society that surrounded them, while others were the originators of their own hardships; like Samson. Whichever the case, the common thread among every member of this honorable community is found in that they did not stop believing in the promises of God, but instead continued to “believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Samson irrefutably fits the bill, as they say. His righteousness rose to the top when he was at his lowest in life, like the younger son in the Master’s parable (cf. Luke 15:17-21). Samson did not forsake his faith in Jehovah God nor did he point the finger of blame at Him. Samson acknowledged that he was now reaping what he had sown for the flesh; his own corruption (cf. Galatians 6:7-8). Yet, “then Samson called to the LORD, saying, ‘O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes’” (Judges 16:28)! Samson, by faith, prayed to God trusting that He would answer his plea and take him back as His servant to do His will, because of his broken spirit and contrite heart (cf. Psalm 34:17-18). Samson could have reasoned that Almighty God would never willingly take him back because of the multiplicity of his sins. He could have judged himself irredeemable because he betrayed the Lord God by neglecting the gift that he had been given and selling it for carnal pleasure. Instead, Samson took accountability for his poor judgment and acknowledged that his strength always came from Jehovah God, and never from him. With this renewal of his mind, Samson humbled himself before God and called on Him for strength, so that he could finally fulfill his purpose as determined by the LORD (cf. Judges 13:5, 14:4). Samson serves an example of what one must do when our strength has been depleted by the woes of life; even if they are self-inflicted. Samson, by faith, remembered that God will never turn away a penitent heart nor will He forsake those seeking to do His will. He did not allow his seemingly impossible predicament to quench his reliance upon God. Instead, in his turmoil Samson prayed to the merciful Father (like many found in a similar circumstance as his had done before) certain that “out of weakness [they] were made strong” (Hebrews 11:34c, addition OP). Samson is indeed a peculiar induction at a quick glance, but when one delves beneath the surface understanding the proper context of the Scripture, it removes every and all doubt that his faith is undeniably on par with the other members of this elite class.