BEYOND REVENGE


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Then Samson called to the Lord and said, "O Lord God , please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes." And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. And Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines." Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the Lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years.
Judges 16:28-31 ESV



¶Israel in its youth and inexperience celebrated the power of a strong man, who is recognized, not for delivering Israel, but for avenging it, whose connection to God was as tenuous as a strand of hair. What Wonderful Counselor, what Prince of Peace, will bring us beyond revenge to true shalom?
 

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