Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Judges 16:22-31. Though Samson has been brought low in his unfaithfulness, the LORD remains faithful to Samson, as evidenced by the regrowth of his hair. The LORD’s faithfulness is key, as the conflict in the text is much deeper than the Philistines versus Samson. The true conflict is the LORD versus idols, particularly the Philistine idol, Dagon. The LORD will not let the mockery of the Philistines win the day, nor will He let them believe that their false god has triumphed. He will show His name to be holy even as people profane Him. In his humiliation, Samson’s weak faith is still evident. Even as Samson desires vengeance, he does cry out to the LORD as the only true God who can deliver him. Even if Samson dies in the process, he trusts that God will raise him from the dead, as Hebrews 11 reminds us. Samson’s death does bring great defeat upon the Philistines, but the end of his account still le