Ready to End Your Life? Consider These Things. Part 3
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
In this third and final part of the series, I will discuss the life of the Old Testament Israelite judge Samson. I will provide a link to the biblical story of this man. You will have the option of learning his story from an easy to read Bible translation. Finally, I will suggest some lessons from Samson's life.
Please know I am not writing to judge or evaluate your perspective on possibly ending your life. I am writing to offer a few thoughts for you to consider before taking an irreversible step.
Samson died by suicide.
The Bible says very little about suicide.
In Samson's story, we find the account of a man who struggled with conflicting desires, who experienced betrayal, personal and spiritual defeat, disability, and who died surrounded by enemies who mocked him.
Samson's story:
From childhood, Samson was acknowledged as someone set apart to do God's work in a special way. Specifically, Samson's mission was to cancel or destroy the military and spiritual threat posed by the Philistines to God's people. Samson had what we would call a supernatural physical strength that was to be used in battle.
We have no indication from Samson's story that he had the look or physical stature of an exceptional person. What Samson had was the ability to demonstrate the power of God in the protection of God's people. The sign, or visible demonstration, of this power was Samson's long locks of hair. Through God's power, Samson achieved a spectacular series of military successes.
Samson became romantically involved with Delilah, a woman we would call a spy or enemy operative. She worked for the Philistines. After many failed attempts, Delilah was able to convince Samson to reveal (the previously unknown) secret of his strength: his long hair. While he was sleeping, Delilah had his hair cut. She then called in Philistine operatives who captured Samson (his supernatural strength was gone), blinded him, and put him in a prison. While in prison, Samson was forced to operate a simple machine that processed grain. He was forced to work providing food for his enemies.
In celebration of capturing Samson, the Philistine leaders sponsored a large gathering at the temple of their god, Dagon. Thousands of people attended the event, eager to see Samson displayed as a trophy of war. Samson was brought before the crowd. Although blind, Samson was aware he was in a large space, surrounded by enemies who were cheering his defeat and capture.
Samson asked his handlers to allow him to steady himself by standing between two of the main pillars in the temple. His request was granted.
Despite failure and his status as a prisoner in an enemy stronghold, Samson never loses his awareness of God.
Samson never loses his faith in God's willingness to hear him. Samson never loses his confidence that God will answer when Samson reaches out. In the worst situation he can imagine, Samson knows God never turns away.
Samson's final prayer is that for one last time, God will restore Samson's strength. Then, Samson prays "Let me die with the Philistines." At this point, Samson either pushes against or pulls in the columns where his arms are anchored. The force he applies damages the columns and creates a domino effect, bringing down the entire temple. Thousands of spectators are killed, as is Samson.
Samson's relatives travel to the site of the implosion, retrieve his body, and bring him home for burial with his people.
Samson's story is not a pro-suicide or anti-suicide story.
Samson's story teaches us God listens for us and hears us in every possible condition of life. Consider Samson's condition: alone, far from help, permanently disabled, betrayed, mocked, imprisoned, surrounded by enemies.
God always hears anyone who honestly reaches out. God always answers. Your answer may not be Samson's answer, but your answer will come if you ask. You are never completely abandoned. You are never completely alone.
Read Samson's entire story here:
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JDG.13.niv
Read chapters 13 though 16 for the entire story.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
In this third and final part of the series, I will discuss the life of the Old Testament Israelite judge Samson. I will provide a link to the biblical story of this man. You will have the option of learning his story from an easy to read Bible translation. Finally, I will suggest some lessons from Samson's life.
Please know I am not writing to judge or evaluate your perspective on possibly ending your life. I am writing to offer a few thoughts for you to consider before taking an irreversible step.
Samson died by suicide.
The Bible says very little about suicide.
In Samson's story, we find the account of a man who struggled with conflicting desires, who experienced betrayal, personal and spiritual defeat, disability, and who died surrounded by enemies who mocked him.
Samson's story:
From childhood, Samson was acknowledged as someone set apart to do God's work in a special way. Specifically, Samson's mission was to cancel or destroy the military and spiritual threat posed by the Philistines to God's people. Samson had what we would call a supernatural physical strength that was to be used in battle.
We have no indication from Samson's story that he had the look or physical stature of an exceptional person. What Samson had was the ability to demonstrate the power of God in the protection of God's people. The sign, or visible demonstration, of this power was Samson's long locks of hair. Through God's power, Samson achieved a spectacular series of military successes.
Samson became romantically involved with Delilah, a woman we would call a spy or enemy operative. She worked for the Philistines. After many failed attempts, Delilah was able to convince Samson to reveal (the previously unknown) secret of his strength: his long hair. While he was sleeping, Delilah had his hair cut. She then called in Philistine operatives who captured Samson (his supernatural strength was gone), blinded him, and put him in a prison. While in prison, Samson was forced to operate a simple machine that processed grain. He was forced to work providing food for his enemies.
In celebration of capturing Samson, the Philistine leaders sponsored a large gathering at the temple of their god, Dagon. Thousands of people attended the event, eager to see Samson displayed as a trophy of war. Samson was brought before the crowd. Although blind, Samson was aware he was in a large space, surrounded by enemies who were cheering his defeat and capture.
Samson asked his handlers to allow him to steady himself by standing between two of the main pillars in the temple. His request was granted.
Despite failure and his status as a prisoner in an enemy stronghold, Samson never loses his awareness of God.
Samson never loses his faith in God's willingness to hear him. Samson never loses his confidence that God will answer when Samson reaches out. In the worst situation he can imagine, Samson knows God never turns away.
Samson's final prayer is that for one last time, God will restore Samson's strength. Then, Samson prays "Let me die with the Philistines." At this point, Samson either pushes against or pulls in the columns where his arms are anchored. The force he applies damages the columns and creates a domino effect, bringing down the entire temple. Thousands of spectators are killed, as is Samson.
Samson's relatives travel to the site of the implosion, retrieve his body, and bring him home for burial with his people.
Samson's story is not a pro-suicide or anti-suicide story.
Samson's story teaches us God listens for us and hears us in every possible condition of life. Consider Samson's condition: alone, far from help, permanently disabled, betrayed, mocked, imprisoned, surrounded by enemies.
God always hears anyone who honestly reaches out. God always answers. Your answer may not be Samson's answer, but your answer will come if you ask. You are never completely abandoned. You are never completely alone.
Read Samson's entire story here:
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JDG.13.niv
Read chapters 13 though 16 for the entire story.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Comments