Bible Study of Samson Part 2

Ok, so there are some similarities to the story of Samson's conception to Jesus' conception.  The obvious is that an angel of the Lord appears to both mothers to announce the conception of a son.  Both of these sons are to be "set apart", Samson being "consecrated to God" and Jesus being "the son of the Most High".  It is clear from this first announcement that both of these sons are destined to be a big part of God's plan for salvation.  Both of these conceptions are miraculous, as God makes lifeless wombs full of life. 

These two stories are different, too.  Manoah's wife (who is not named) does not seem to fully believe what the angel tells her.  She goes to tell her husband about it, and he seems to want further explanation.  Mary, though, accepts the angel's words in faith and whole heartedly commits to the Will of the Father. 

Another thing to take note of is, in Samson's story, how the angel tells his soon to be mother to "not eat of anything that comes from the vine, nor take wine or strong drink, nor eat anything unclean".  By doing this, the angel wants Manoah's wife to make herself pure by fasting from these things. This purity is needed as she will be carrying a child in her womb who will be consecrated to God.  Mary, though, did not have to make herself pure in order to carry Jesus in her womb.  By way of her Immaculate Conception, Mary was already free from all sin, thus making her a pure vessel to carry "the son of the Most High", Jesus who is God-made-man. 

Later on, we see that Samson wishes to marry a Philistine.  During the wedding feast, his wife betrays him and tells the Philistinian men the answer to the riddle.  He is betrayed by someone whom he loves deeply (much like Jesus is betrayed by Judas).  So this is what incites his anger, and his anger is toward all Philistines.  After the ensuing conflict that takes place in chapter 15, the Philistines capture Samson and bound him up.  We read that "the spirit of the Lord came upon him" and he is unbound.  Then, by his mere physical strength, Samson kills a thousand men with the "jawbone of an ass".  An ass is a donkey, which is a rather small animal, and Samson is able to kill many men with it.  Quite ironic if you think about it.  This unusual physical strength of Samson to defeat his captors points toward the spiritual strength of Christ, which we will see foreshadowed even more clearly in chapter 16 of Judges.  Then we read that Samson became a judge for Israel, which at that time, meant that he was a leader in Israel, a man of authority. 

What we read next in chapter 16 is really quite amazing.  Samson's strength is illustrated further.  So as you read chapter 16 today, answer these questions:

1.  Poor Samson once again is hurt by the woman he loves. What parallels do you see between this account of Samson's capture and death and Jesus' passion and death? (For an account of Jesus' passion and death, read Matthew 26:47 through 27:51)
2. Read John 2:13-21.  How does this relate to what you read about Samson in Judges chapter 16?

Come Holy Spirit!  More to come tomorrow...