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Samson is a picture of the modern masculine archetype.

A man who left the mundane life of his home town and journeyed exotic lands, battled wild beasts, romanced women, and drank deeply in rich cultural experiences.

And yet his life ended in ruin.

Samson's story serves as a great warning to us as men in the area of calling and the pursuit of adventure.

We must pay attention.

Let's dive in.

The Set Up: The Allure of Culture

Samson was born during a boring time in Israel's history.

Israel was essentially a small farm community with no central government, no standing military, and no central place of worship.

In many ways, Israel's existence had become small and uninspired.

Samson was born into these conditions with a promise from God: "He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines" (Judges 13:5).

In accordance with his calling, he was consecrated as a nazarite before he was even born. This consecration put constraints on his life:

• No alcohol
• No cutting his hair
• No touching a corpse

So here is Samson: living in a boring town with weird restrictions he did not choose. This left him vulnerable to the allure of the cultural epicenter of the day: Philistia.

Philistia was bursting with commerce, culture, technological advancement, a powerful military, rich kings, opulent parties, and beautiful women.

So Samson ventured into the Philistine city of Timnah.

Wouldn't you?

God's Call vs Your Own Adventure

In Timnah, a lion attacked Samson. In the exchange, the Spirit of God came upon Samson and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands.

On his return to Timnah, he visits the Lion's carcass where he finds bees and honey inside the carcass.

This is highly unusual. It's a divine appointment.

Remember the call on his life?

As he re-enters the territory of the Philistines, The Lord is trying to speak to Samson about his calling and the adventure he has for Him so he goes in with the right mindset and understanding.

• The first time God displays his strength through Samson was in the Philistine territory when he is attacked by a lion.
• The lion represents the "attacker" aka the Philistines
• The scene is a prophetic picture: I am going to overcome the Philistines (dead lion) through your strength and establish a prosperous Israel (honey) in the Philistine land.

Does Samson discern the calling?
Does he recognize that God is giving him his inheritance?

No.

He indulges.
He scoops the honey out and eats it (breaking his nazarite vows).
He is blinded by his own adventure seeking impulses. He can't think beyond himself.

He then goes and gambles away his inheritance. He takes the destiny moment God had for him and uses it as a riddle to gamble with Philistines at a party.

This cycle repeats itself in Samson's life. He continually dismisses the calling of God in pursuit of his own adventure.

More mighty acts (break the jaw of a donkey), sleeping with prostitutes. All the while, using his God given strength to get him out of sticky situations. Ultimately, falls in love with Delilah who betrays him which leads to his downfall.

Samson was driven by passion, romance, and the need for his own adventure.

Where did that leave him?

• Did he emerge transformed?
• Did he grow in wisdom and understanding?
• Did he become a man of culture and character?
• Did he become a man of consequence and of great exploits?

No.

It left him a slave in the land of his own adventure.
It left him a captive in the land he was supposed to conquer.

TAKEAWAYS

It's easy to point the finger at Samson. But aren't we just like him?

Don't we long for a great adventure - the land where the grass is greener?

How many of our daily choices are driven simply by our desires and impulses?

How many of us, gifted with insurmountable strength, would keep the nazarite vow and forego Philistia?

This is not to say you shouldn't seek adventure.

The question is: can you discern God's adventure for you?

Can you discern the story he is writing with your life?

Samson couldn't imagine that his greatest sense of purpose, satisfaction and fulfillment would come through living set apart from the cultural epicenter of his day. He couldn't grasp the fact that he was alive to deliver his nation from them.

Instead, he just followed his passions and instincts.

He had no fear of the Lord.
No discernment.
No restraint.
No vision.

Tips For Growing In Discernment

1. It starts with your heart posture. Are you holding onto your own way? Have you surrendered? Like David, can you say:
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​"Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

2. Renew your mind. Only the renewed mind can discern the things of God. The primary way to do this is by reading His book. It explains His thoughts and values. They are much different than what the world has taught you.

3. Council of Men. You need feedback. People in your life who can ask questions, challenge your thinking, and give you fresh perspective. This will bring clarity in a way you can't get on your own.

Last thought: There is a divine purpose from God over your life. Don't settle for your own adventure. Discover His.

Speak soon.
​VM

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