DAY 91

LOOKING FOR ONE GOOD MAN

Judges 13, 14 & 15 and Luke 6:27 - 49

You are reading this the day after Easter, we call it Easter Monday. For you to read it on Monday, I am typing it on Easter. So you might imagine that I have a bit of “Easter” in me.

In our Old Testament Lesson we are introduced to Samson; a rather colorful, physically strong and tragic figure. He is at once a person set apart for God (a Nazirite) and at the same time someone given over to his own passions (especially a young lady name Delilah). You will quickly note the rather bizarre wager that is made over a riddle that Samson has crafted after tearing a lion in two! We see Samson’s wife is more wed to her people than Samson, he gives in and tells her the answer to the riddle only to then lose the bet. In his anger he goes and kills 30 Philistines in order to settle the bet. In the end he loses his wife.

A few points – he has taken some vows – he is not suppose to touch dead carcasses (this is why he didn’t tell his parents) and he is not supposed to drink – the original language reveals the party he held was ostensibly a drinking party.

From this first story we see Samson disrespecting his parents by marrying a Philistine, breaking his vows by touching a dead carcass and possibly drinking (we don’t know for sure if he did) and God uses all of it to elevate Samson and his power. Note that beginning of the Old Testament text that Israel had been captive for 40 years! This is about to change. In chapter 15 another Samson story with foxes and the jawbone of an ass – all leading to him defeating the Philistines and ruling Israel for 20 years.

As we read Judges we see Israel “see-sawing” between good judges and bad judges: Israel needs just one good man or woman to keep them on the right path – and it is not Charlie Brown.

You and do as well – fortunately God sent His Son – that is what we are celebrating on Easter – The One Good God-Man that came to our rescue – the one who says today “love your enemies”, “judge not” and “build you house on the rock” – One Good God-Man.