We’ve been hearing more about the Samson Option in the news lately, especially as things continue to heat up in the Middle-East. What is it? What does it mean for Israel? What does it mean for the world? Let’s take a closer look at this Israeli foreign policy. To do this we need to know who Samson was and what he did in relation to Israel and his role in the OT. To do that we need to take a look in the book of Judges, chapter 13 to be exact. To move this blog along and keep it brief, I am going to give you the Rob Lee version of this story.
Samson was born from the wife of Manoah, from the tribe of Dan. We don’t know Manoah’s wife’s name as she is referred to as ‘Manoah’s wife’ or ‘the woman.’ She was barren until the Lord showed up one day in a Christophany and told her that He would open her womb and that she would have a son. He was to take a Nazarite vow his whole life as God would use Samson to defeat the Philistines; the archenemy of the Jews. A bunch of other stuff happened, but suffice it to say, Samson was born for a formerly barren woman and God blessed him. (Judges 13:24)
In Judges 14 Samson does a bunch of superhero stuff, kills a bunch of Philistines, and gives his lovely, but character-challenged wife to the guy who was his best man. (Judges 14:19)
In Judges 15 Samson does a bunch of questionable stuff, vandalizes the Philistine grain field with some burning foxes, and kills a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey, all because they killed his former wife.
In Judges 16 Samson took the gates of Gaza off their hinges and dragged them away after visiting a hooker there. He later hooked up with Delilah who enticed him to give up the secret of his strength; his long hair.
As a result, she gave him a haircut wile he slept and when he awoke, the Philistines captured him, poked out his eyes, and forced him to grind their wheat in jail. Over time his hair grew back as did his strength. Then one night when the Philistines were celebrating, they wanted to display Samson and make fun of him, not knowing that he had returned to superhero status while in prison grinding wheat. He was led into a large chamber where about 3,000 Philistines were partying. He was led by a lad and placed between two main weight bearing pillars which he pushed apart and brought the house down, killing more Philistines than he did in his entire life, and himself in the process.
The author of Judges recorded the incident this way, “Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” 29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. 30 Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.” – Judges 16:28-30
Question: What does this story have to do with Israel’s Samson Option policy?
Answer: Israel has vowed that they will never allow themselves to be defeated by a foreign army again. As a result, if in some future conflict with her invading neighbors, they feel that they are losing, then they will launch nuclear weapons on those nations who are attacking her. The message is that if you defeat us, you will also be defeated. If we die, you die, just like Samson in the closing passage of Judges 16. Get it?
Some would challenge whether or not this would really happen, but the Bible is clear that a ‘great sword’ will be given to the rider on the red horse, who represents world war.
John the Revelator recorded it this way, “When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.” – Revelation 6:3,4
As a result of this ‘great sword,’ famine and economic calamity will ensue resulting in ¼ of the world population being killed; this is estimated to be about 2 billion people globally.
The Apostle John further said, “When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power (authority) was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.” – Revelation 6:7,8
- This passage expresses wide spread death. The phrase ‘Death and Hades followed,’ infers that the majority of people who are killed by this ‘great sword’ and the results of it, are not saved. This is supported by the fact that ‘Hades’ refers to the underworld where the unrighteous go. If this is the case, it’s because the righteous have already been removed from the earth prior, due to the Rapture.
Some might question the use of nuclear weapons in conjunction with this ‘great sword,’ however, the OT prophet Zechariah has a different view.
“And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall dissolve (decay) while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.” – Zechariah 14:12
The long and the short of it is this. Israel is in conflict, her enemies are ready to pounce on her. Currently there are threats of an impending invasion which Israel is poised to address, the Samson Option being the last straw. Tens of millions of Christians are continually praying for the peace and safety of Israel and God is honoring those prayers. This fact alone is probably why what we’re seeing is more of a cat-and-mouse war postering at this time. Her enemies can’t penetrate the nation because God is answering our prayers and He keeps watch over Israel. In the midst of this, the world economies are teetering on a massive crash, and global armies are positioning themselves on the battle field, some in a defensive posture, and others in an offensive. Too many believers are completely unaware of the nearness of the Rapture in conjunction to all of this.
When the Church is removed, there will be no more prayer cover for Israel. The blessing that once was upon the earth as a result of the presence and contribution of believers will be gone baby! The seven-year tribulation will soon begin after the Rapture and Bible prophecy will be fulfilled. Israel will suffer, but they will prevail in the end. For believers in Jesus, particularly men of God, we need to be strong, stand fast, and cover our families with prayer and affirming words from God’s Word. Our faith in God must be strong in these last moments of these last days. The Rapture is about to occur, we could be hours or even days away from this awesome event. Once the Church is gone, all hell is going to break lose on the earth as the Restrainer of evil will no longer restrain. (2 Thessalonians 2)
If you’re reading this and you’re not saved, than today is your day for salvation. A simple prayer of faith and your belief in the Lord Jesus will bring you into the family of God. The Bible says that if we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord, we will be saved. If we confess our sins to the Lord in prayer, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from our unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) On this side of the Rapture it’s not too late to receive Jesus and be saved from the aftermath of the Rapture. On the other side of the Rapture we can still be saved, but we will have to suffer (and most likely die) for our faith.
Here’s hoping you’re ready to go, but if not, get saved today.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 35-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 