Today I read Judges 15, in which Sampson takes revenge against the Philistines because of his wife. Today I considered that God allows revenge to be used as a tool for His kingdom.
Revenge of Sampson
Sampson caused destruction and death because he wanted revenge related to his wife (Judges 15:1-20). After time had passed, Sampson took a gift and went to look for his wife. Her father said he married her to someone else and offered another daughter. Sampson caught and used 300 foxes to set fire to the Philistines crops as revenge. The Philistines burned Sampson’s wife and father-in-law in return. Sampson slaughtered those that killed them. Israelites from Judah went to tie up Sampson explaining the Israelites were under the rule of the Philistines, and he let them because they promised not to kill him. Sampson was taken to the Philistines and God strengthened him to break the ropes and use a donkey jawbone to kill 1,000 Philistines. Sampson was a judge for 20 years.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
God used Sampson’s desire for revenge to fight the Philistines and help the Israelites. Sampson loved a Philistine woman. When he knew she was taken from him and given to another, he destroyed Philistine property. When she was killed, Sampson killed Philistines. Sampson went from loving a Philistine to taking revenge on thousands of Philistines.
When have you seen God use a negative thing to cause His children to fight for His kingdom?