Easier the Second Time

"When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out and took it and killed a thousand men with it." -Judges 15.14-15

A lot has happened, Samson has been married, lost a bet, had his wife given to someone else, burned the Philistines fields, and then killed many of them because the killed his wife. At this point he withdraw to Etam but when the Philistines come after him 3,000 men from Judah come to seize him and hand him over. He makes them swear that they won't kill him personally, and when they tell him that they will not, he allows himself to be bound and given to the Philistines.

Along the way they Philistines rejoice in their capture, but the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson in a mighty way. He breaks the ropes, and being greatly outnumbered, looks around for something to fight with. The first thing he finds is a donkey skeleton; he grabs the jaw bone and proceeds to kill 1,000 men with it.

Think about what just happened, Samson beat 1,000 armed men with nothing more than an old bone. It's an impressive feat and a nice resume booster for anyone seeking to be a hero, but there is an issue. Once again Samson has broken his vow and touched a dead body. After all, that's what a skeleton is. It's easier to do something the second time.

I look at this story and I think of how else it might have played out. I find it hard to believe that the only thing available was a donkey skeleton. I have been to Israel twice, and I can tell you from personal experience that there are rocks everywhere. The Jews jokingly say that when God created the earth He had two handfuls of rocks to distribute allover the world, but when He got to Israel He tripped and dropped one handful. I'm sure he had his choice of rocks, but instead he grabs a jawbone. Personally, I probably would have picked the bone over a rock too since the bow provides a better handle, but I'm not under a Nazirite vow. The second option I see is Samson killing the closest Philistine with his bare hands, no problem for the guy who killed a lion, and taking his weapons and unleashing the slaughter.

Either scenario keeps him from breaking his vow, but that isn't what happens. Samson grabs the first thing that is convenient, without thinking twice, and goes to work. It's easier to break your vow the second time.

Men, the more you compromise the easier it becomes. The second lie is easier to tell. The second time you cheat someone is easier than the first. The more it continues, the easier it gets, the more natural and instinctual it becomes.

Samson grabbed a jawbone in an instant, probably not even realizing what he was doing. It was there and he needed a weapon. But had he never touched the dead lion would he have been more aware and not touched the dead donkey?

Let us be men of integrity. Let us carefully guard our hearts and vows so that we don't compromise them. Let us be men who never let their be a second time.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor