Samson is thought to be, because of his mighty feats, the strongest man of all time. Let us compare his mighty acts with those of One stronger yet.
1 - In Judges 14:4-5, he slays the young roaring lion. Consider the mightier feat described in Hebrews 2:4 against a much more dangerous lion (1 Peter 5:8), and this, accomplished through his own death!
2 - Samson slays 30 men to have their garments (Judges 14:19). But, in accord with Matthew 5:40, Jesus leaves his garment (John 19:23) in order to give the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness to those who trust in Him (Ro. 5:1).
3 - Samson catches 300 foxes and burns the harvests of the Philistines (Judges. 15:4-5). But Jesus, for his part, feeds 5000 (Mark 6) and then 4000 (Mark 8) with but a few loaves; in addition, he sows the good seed in the field of the world (Matthew 13); in contrast, he lets himself be caught and surrounded by bulls (Ps. 22:12) and dogs (Ps. 22:16); he takes the fire of judgment upon Himself on the cross in our stead.
4 - Samson smote them hip and thigh (broke arms and legs - Judges 15:8 Fr. Darby). Jesus, for His part heals the sick, the lame, the withered hand, the blind, the deaf and the mute. He raises even those that are dead (John 11).
5 - Samson slays 1000 men with the jawbone of an ass. Word of grace came forth from the jaws of the Lord (Luke 4:22); He goes on even to say "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34).
6 - Samson took off the doors of the gate of the city of Gaza and took them up to the hill before Hebron (Judges 16:2). Consider the much greater work of the stronger One against the gates of hell (hades) (Matthew 16:18, 2 Timothy 1:10) through His death and resurrection; ascending on high, He leads captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8).
7 - Samson, extending his arms on the pillars, destroys the temple of Dagon as he cries vengeance, taking over 3000 souls with him in death. (Judges 16:27-28). The Lord Jesus, arms spread out on the cross, also lets out a loud cry (Mc 15:37), bringing, through His death alone, salvation to millions of souls and, basing all on his finished work, builds the temple of God, the church, the body of Christ.
NOTE: All Bible references are from the King James Version unless otherwise specified. All unsigned material is in the spirit of Ecc. 12:11. Send all correspondence, comments, suggestions to: dailysowers@tlb.sympatico.ca
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