Samson hung his head. It had taken blindness and captivity to open his spiritual eyes. He grimaced when he remembered how his mother’s eyes shone every time she told the story of the angel’s visit predicting his birth. “The Lord Himself has chosen you to be His special servant to rescue Israel from the Philistines,” she said.

How much do you value your vision? Is it worth guarding?

I thought of Samson while reading 1 John recently. God anointed Samson with supernatural strength to deliver Israel (Judges 13:1-15:20). But Samson squandered his gift on vengeance and pleasure. His choices led to blindness and slavery. 1 John warns that hatred blinds the one who hates.

A Gruesome Example

Samson fell in love with a Philistine named Delilah. Delilah manipulated Samson into revealing the secret of his strength. She then sold him to Philistine lords who bound him and gouged out his eyes. Imprisoned Samson was forced to grind grain for his enemy.

Having witnessed a cat lose an eye, I can imagine blind Samson. His empty eye sockets provide a jarring picture of the consequences of sin.Continue Reading