The Alpha and Omega of Samson

One of the more interesting books in the Old Testament is the book of Judges, which takes place after the death of Joshua. The book of Judges is named for the actions and stories of thirteen Judges comprised of twelve men and a woman. The thirteen Judges were chosen by the Lord to lead the Israelites against their enemies throughout Canaan. Following Joshua’s death, the tribes looked to the Lord for bearing. Although all of the thirteen Judges were profound and led the Israelites through turbulent times, Samson, who led the Israelites for twenty years during the 12th century B.C. (Westby, 2009), stands in the forefront of all who have studied the Bible and warrants further recognition and discussion.

A child was promised and born to a sterile, childless woman who was married to a man named Manoah. The promise came from a messenger who told the woman “You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son. (Kee & Burke, 2003)” The messenger of God went on to tell her that she was not to consume anything from the vine and that she should not eat anything deemed unclean, as her son would go on to deliver Israel from the Philistines.

She told Manoah of this encounter with the messenger. In search of guidance and enlightenment, he prayed to the Lord and asked for instruction on how to raise his son. Again, the messenger presented himself to Manoah’s wife. On this occasion, she was able to fetch her husband to hear the words from the messenger, who repeated his message of cleanliness. Manoah asked the man to stay and dine with them. However, the messenger told him he did not want any of their food and suggested they make a burnt offering to the Lord. They did so and as the flames from the offering rose, the messenger ascended upward into the flames toward the heavens. At that moment, Manoah and his wife realized they had received a message from an angel of the Lord and as promised, a son was born. He was named Samson.

The Lord...