When I look at Sampson, I think to myself, I would never use him. He is out of control. He is reckless. He even, at one point, names what he is doing as mischief. But what do we find? God uses him. God uses him as an instrument. God uses him to help the Israelites. Even though Sampson is not someone I would use, God does. God doesn’t always make sense, and we need to remember that. God isn’t going to always do what we want Him to do. God cannot be controlled. He is to be followed.

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Good morning! It’s good to be with you on this Friday.

Well, Bible School is officially over now—though I’m speaking to the future, since I record these a bit early. So today, I’m in my last day of VBS-mode: T-shirt, shorts, and baseball hat. But by this time tomorrow, I’ll be back to my usual clergy shirt and khakis—like I wear just about every day. After vacation time, conference time, and VBS time, I’m actually looking forward to getting back to a regular rhythm next week. That’ll be good.

Judges 15 – Samson’s Wild Ride (Continues)

Today, we’re continuing Samson’s story. What did we learn yesterday? That Samson was reckless. And—spoiler alert—that’s not going to change.

Let’s read Judges 15 together. It’s about 20 verses, and like yesterday, I’ll interject some commentary as we go.

Verse 1–2
After a while, at the time of the wheat harvest, Samson went to visit his wife, bringing along a young goat. He said, “I want to go into my wife’s room,” but her father would not allow him to go in.

Remember how chapter 14 ended? Samson had stormed off in anger, and his wife was given to his best man. Now he comes back wanting to visit her. Her dad basically says, “You left. I thought you rejected her, so I gave her away.”

Then the father says, “Isn’t her younger sister prettier? Why not take her instead?”

Verse 3–5
Samson said, “This time when I do mischief to the Philistines, I will be without blame.” So Samson went and caught 300 foxes… tied their tails together with torches, lit the torches, and sent them into the Philistines’ grain fields.

This is absolute chaos. And I want you to hear Samson’s language here: “I will do mischief.” He’s not saying, “I will bring justice” or “God is using me for righteousness.” No—he’s saying, “I’m going to cause trouble, and I’m off the hook for it.” He’s still reckless, still impulsive, still driven by his emotions.

Verse 6
The Philistines said, “Who did this?” And when they found out, they burned Samson’s wife and father-in-law alive.

Verse 7–8
Samson responds by slaughtering many Philistines and then hiding out in a cave.

Once again—more death, more burning, more vengeance. It’s an ongoing cycle of retaliation.

Verse 9–13
The Philistines then go after Judah, saying, “We’re here to get Samson.” The men of Judah go find him, and 3,000 of them say, “Why are you bringing this trouble on us?” Samson says, “I’m just doing to them what they did to me.”

This sounds a lot like “an eye for an eye.” Samson isn’t thinking about justice or God’s will—he’s simply retaliating.

So they tie him up to hand him over, but he makes them promise they won’t kill him themselves.

Verse 14–17
When Samson gets handed over, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him. He breaks free and kills 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey. Then he throws the jawbone aside and names the place Ramath-lehi.

Verse 18–19
He’s exhausted and says, “Lord, are you really going to let me die of thirst after all this?” So God miraculously provides water.

Verse 20
Samson judged Israel in the days of the Philistines for 20 years.

What Do We Learn?

Samson is… complicated. He’s incredibly strong, and Scripture tells us the Spirit of the Lord is with him. God is using him to oppose the Philistines and to deliver Israel.

But—he’s also reckless, prideful, impulsive, and often immature.

He acts out of vengeance, ego, and emotion. He brings mischief, not justice. And yet, God still uses him.

God Works Through Imperfect People

That’s one of the wildest, and most comforting, things about Scripture: God constantly uses people who don’t have it all together.

Samson is not who I would have chosen to lead anything, let alone to judge Israel. He’s a chaos machine. But God uses him.

It’s a reminder that:

• God doesn’t need perfect people.
• God’s presence is not dependent on our perfection.
• God’s ways are often not our ways.

Don’t Box God In

It’s tempting to look at someone and say, “God would never use that person.” Or even, “God would never use me.”

But the truth is—God will use whoever God wants to use. He’s not predictable. He’s not tame. He doesn’t follow our rules.

One of my seminary professors used to say: “Be careful when you say, ‘God would never do that.’ Because usually what you mean is, ‘I would never do that.’”

God is not confined by our expectations. And thank goodness, because if He only used the polished and put-together, the rest of us wouldn’t stand a chance.

Final Thought

If God can use Samson—prideful, impulsive, chaotic Samson—then God can use you. And He can use me.

So instead of trying to control God, let’s follow Him.

Let’s have the faith to let God be God today.

Thanks for being with us. Monday, we’re picking up with Samson and Delilah. Oh boy. Buckle up—great stories ahead.

Have a great weekend! See you Monday.