Patrikin – Kinship through The Father

“Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again …” – Judges 16

The Bible has a story about a man who lost his strength when his hair was cut.

Most are familiar with the story from Judges 16 – a man dedicated to the Lord before birth and called to God’s service, loses his strength through foolish choices, culminating in his hair being cut, him being blinded, abandoned in a foreign prison.  

Most know the ending, his hair grows back and he gains his strength again to topple an entire building, striking vengeance on God’s enemies. 

Such a sad story of loss, regret, death!

Was he a role model of what NOT to do, an example of what happens to those who aren’t careful to maintain their morals?  

And what’s the deal about his hair?  Cutting my hair has no effect on my strength!

A little background may help.

Sampson was a Nazarite.  Nazarites had a few rules, the two most noticeable being: No wine, not even eating grapes, and no razors.  Their abstinence and hair were symbols of dedication to God.  Letting his hair be cut was the final abandonment of his lifelong commitment. 

Here’s the lesson from hair, God was sending a message to us about his call on our lives!

Just as hair grows back with time, God’s purposes and calls endure and return — even after severe loss.

The apostle Paul put it this way:

“Looked at from the long-range perspective of God’s overall purpose … God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded

Romans 11:29 (Message Bible)

Soundbite: The sacrifice of Christ still pays for all sin, God holds no grudges, and when call to service is given, it endures if we let it.

— fritz@langgang.com