Vexed to Death
It is very hard to understand why God used Samson as His agent to get revenge on the Philistines who had been oppressing Israel. He only followed the Nazarite vow in one area as far as I can tell. He never cut his hair. However, he married a pagan woman, he was sexually immoral, and he probably drank wine, even though the Bible doesn't say that specifically. Even though he was so unfaithful to the Lord's will, God blessed him with great strength, and he used that strength against the enemies of His people. Then, Samson's life came to a screeching halt in a very sad way, when he lost his strength by having his hair cut by one of those pagan women, Delilah, and he was captured by the Philistines. What led to his defeat? (Judges 16:16) We all need to examine what happened to get him in trouble.
Samson would never reveal the secret of his great strength, because he knew the Philistines were trying to kill him. He knew that if he lost his strength they would overcome him. Knowing all of that, he gave in to Delilah and told her about his hair. He did this after she "pressed him hard with words day after day." Some people would call this nagging. I would call it "verbal manipulation." This tactic is employed by men and women on their spouses, their other family members, their friends and their co-workers. It might be effective in getting people to do what we want, but it is very damaging. That is why we should never do this to anyone.
Samson told his secret when "his soul was vexed to death." Her words grated on his mind, will, and emotions, so much that he thought he would die, or at least, wished he would die to get away from it. That is no way to treat anyone. It is not loving, and it only causes damage to our relationships. It never helps them. God does not mean for us to use our words to harm others, but to build them up, and if we need someone to do something for us, we should pray for them and be kind to them. That is God's way to lead people in the right direction.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 17-19.
Samson would never reveal the secret of his great strength, because he knew the Philistines were trying to kill him. He knew that if he lost his strength they would overcome him. Knowing all of that, he gave in to Delilah and told her about his hair. He did this after she "pressed him hard with words day after day." Some people would call this nagging. I would call it "verbal manipulation." This tactic is employed by men and women on their spouses, their other family members, their friends and their co-workers. It might be effective in getting people to do what we want, but it is very damaging. That is why we should never do this to anyone.
Samson told his secret when "his soul was vexed to death." Her words grated on his mind, will, and emotions, so much that he thought he would die, or at least, wished he would die to get away from it. That is no way to treat anyone. It is not loving, and it only causes damage to our relationships. It never helps them. God does not mean for us to use our words to harm others, but to build them up, and if we need someone to do something for us, we should pray for them and be kind to them. That is God's way to lead people in the right direction.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 17-19.