Tape Talk
by Anonymous

TAPE REVIEW: Samson
by Norman Grubb

In this 1977 talk, Norman walks us through the details of the life of Samson and shows us how to see through to the heart of God. Samson’s miraculous birth by a barren wife was foretold by an angel of the Lord. Samson would be a Nazarite, which meant that no razor could be used on his he, and he would be set apart to God from his birth. Norman reminds us that we are all special spirit agents of God and set apart for Him.

The Israelites had done evil in God’s eyes so He let them be dominated by the Philistines for forty years. Samson was born to begin the deliverance of Israel, but he showed one conspicuous weakness. He was a slave to passion–Philistine women, harlots, and lastly, Delilah. Yet it is evident God used even this obsession to bring vengeance upon the Philistines by the hands of Samson. In a jealous rage over his wife, Samson burned the corn sup-plies, vineyards and olive groves of the Philistines. The infuriated Philistines, in turn, killed his wife and her father. There was real war now. Samson retaliated and slew them with a great slaughter. The Philistines then sent a thousand men to take Samson prisoner. The Israelites, fearing a war, got Samson to agree to being bound and given over to the Philistines. As he was handed over to the Philistines, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he broke his cords and slew the thousand men with the jaw-bone of an ass.

Samson then came to the final crises of his life. He loved a Philistine woman named Delilah who was an agent of the Philistines. She finally got the secret from him concerning his strength and told them that his strength came from his long hair. He temporarily sold out his commission to God. Norman says flesh can’t exist or resist by itself. The Philistines cut his hair as he slept.

When hopeless and weak, Samson’s captors gouged out his eyes and made him tread grain. Norman says we all have to feel humbled and weak to know that through God we are strong, even in our weakness. Finally, Samson realized his hair, which was a symbol of God’s strength, was growing. He was called to be brought before the Philistines to a huge temple where just the roof one held three thousand people. The Philistines were there to celebrate that Samson was their slave. They didn’t know the Lord was moving in him now. Samson asked a servant to lead him to the pillars that he might lean against them. He prayed to God that he might be avenged and die with the Philistines. He then took hold of the pillars and pushed against them with all his might. The temple was brought down on the Philistine rulers and all the people in it. God had not forsaken Samson. How could He? God doesn’t forget His plans. Samson gave his life toward the start of a great deliverance for God’s people.

We recommend you read the story (Judges 13-16) and listen to this challenging tape. Norman brings to life God’s Word and shows its relevance for us today – so that we too are set apart as God/Spirit agents.