One of the influences for my story was the account of Samson. Samson is a unique person in the Bible, as he is the only man given consistent supernatural power by God. This was despite his most ungodly nature. He was one of Israel's judges during a time of no king, overt lawlessness, and national oppression by the Philistines.
In considering the story of Samson, one can't help but wonder about God's choice and faithfulness to the man. Samson was reckless, rebellious, vengeful and mostly amoral. He broke every clause in his Nazarite vow (the binding agreement in his power), save for the cutting of his hair. Yet he still acknowledged God as God, and oddly, despite Samson's behavior, God responded to him with added assistance. Admittedly, when your every waking moment is divinely supercharged, it would be hard not to acknowledge the source.
The key in understanding why God would respond in such a way is really in understanding God's purpose for Samson. Samson's sole purpose was to destroy Israel's oppressors of the day (although this is seemingly unknown to Samson himself- more on that in a moment). Samson's moral conduct was really secondary to God's purpose for him. However, a contract is a contract and God binds Himself by his word. When Samson cut his hair, the deal could no longer be upheld. God's mercy and purpose shows up later as Samson's hair grows back and God renews the contract.
This brings up a few questions. First, would Samson have been anywhere near as effective in exacting God's retribution had he been a godly man? Samson's vengeance toward the Philistines and his ultimate tragic demise caused the fulfillment of God's purpose to free his people. Was Samson chosen because of his potential destructive character, or was his character merely circumstantial? The only real answer here is God is sovereign and always has a plan. He accomplishes his purpose despite us, not because of us. (This is a lesson I've learned many times in my life.)
Second, God never actually told Samson what to do with his power. His parents were visited by an angel and told he would be given power, but he's not actually given any instructions. Samson's life shows this in behavior as well: he seems to casually float through life and rough up people as the situation dictates. It is interesting to note that, despite Samson's conduct, he is still listed in Hebrews 11, under what's known colloquially as the “Faith Hall of Fame”. To sum it up, he believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. God really doesn't like being called a liar when He says something.
These two questions are the influence for my story. I thought, what would it be like if the tables were turned? What if you had a man trying to be godly, but still had no instructions? And furthermore, how much differently than Samson's day would our modern society respond to someone supernaturally empowered in such a way? Not to mention if the claim was that it was divinely sourced. And one would have to ask, what would God's purpose be in empowering a man in such a way in our modern society now that the Messiah has come and the Gospel is the key mission for Believers? These are all things I have pondered heavily for my writing.
And of course, I keep in mind purpose, precedence and significance.
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