The Right Reaction

Vengeance

3 Samson said to them, "This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them." 4 So he went out and caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail in pairs. He then fastened a torch to every pair of tails, 5 lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.

6 When the Philistines asked, "Who did this?" they were told, "Samson, the Timnite's son-in-law, because his wife was given to his friend."
So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father to death. 7 Samson said to them, "Since you've acted like this, I won't stop until I get my revenge on you." 8 He attacked them viciously and slaughtered many of them. Then he went down and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam.

9 The Philistines went up and camped in Judah, spreading out near Lehi. 10 The men of Judah asked, "Why have you come to fight us?"
"We have come to take Samson prisoner," they answered, "to do to him as he did to us."

11 Then three thousand men from Judah went down to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, "Don't you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?"
He answered, "I merely did to them what they did to me." -Judges 15:3-11

Oh Samson.... Scholars read him in a variety of ways. In an earlier chapter the author notes that God used Samson's marriage to a Philistine woman as an occasion to confront them. However, I do think it at least sad that Samson has used a great gift from God (his strength) to save his own pride. Perhaps it was also God's vengeance on the Philistines, but in this moment, Samson fails to recognize this and really misses something- "I merely did to them what they did to me."

Perhaps God would have had Samson confront the Philistines, but perhaps in a different way (I have trouble imagining a God who wold want wheat burned or foxes' tails tied together) or with different words (instead of I and me) or explanations, recognizing that this was God's will. And it would've taken on new meaning.

Furthermore, we have to recognize that this vengeance on the Philistines is before the new covenant. In the Old Testament, the plan seems to be- rid the world of evil, the Paganism of the Philistines. In the New Covenant, instead, we are to extend forgiveness to them... for all, Israelites, Philistines, grad students, parents, sales personnel. We are all deserving of God's vengeance, but we are all offered His forgiveness and His love.


Love

27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.-Luke 27-36

And this love that God offers us, we are to offer to others as well.

Your 'enemies' might be different denominations pr believers in your own church who fail to agree with you on a hot-button issue. God says, "Love them."

Your 'enemies' might be disrespectful students who no longer seem to take initiative or responsibility for their work. God says, "Love them."

Your 'enemies' might be people on the opposite side of the political spectrum who either want more or less taxes paid for this or that purpose. God says, "Love them."

Your 'enemies' might be ___________________. God says, "Love them."


This morning I thank God that He has loved me just as much as I thank Him for instructing us to love one another, and teaching us that the two are mutually independent. You can't have one without the other.

May this love be reflected in our hearts today as we commemorate Maundy Thursday... in a footwashing service, where we learn that love is serving your sister or brother and putting them before yourself... and where we come together in a simple meal, remembering the love in that community of disciples... breaking bread and drinking the cup that connects the love for each other to the love God has for us and the love we have for Him.