The compiler of Proverbs, King Solomon, lived in a golden era of national peace. The kingdom that he inherited from his father was experiencing the good life. After decades of war, with military and political manoeuvring, the borders of the land had been secured. The historic enemies of the people had been subdued and were being held at bay. But people will be people!

It is a great irony that times of civic tranquility do not automatically lead to peaceful life at home.

It was a shameful thing for a woman not to produce heirs for her husband. The story of Samson is one of several in the Old Testament where we see God honouring the prayers of barren women who desperately desire to have a child. Manoah’s wife has likely prayed for many years. When the angel of the Lord comes to her, she is willing to follow his instructions. And the blessing Manoah and his wife will receive is amazing. They will give birth to a son that will save the nation!

It’s a head scratcher. We’ve just read the miracle birth story of Samson, a young man who is filled with the Spirit of the Lord. So, we anticipate what righteous measures he’ll take to turn Israel from its wandering ways.

What we discover is a self-absorbed hothead with poor judgment.

Samson’s sinful nature is an example to avoid, but his active faith is to be admired.

Did you notice Samson is alone in his opposition to the Philistines? The tribe of Judah, which occupies this area, is content to allow enemies of Israel’s God to rule over them. Three thousand men from Judah confront Samson (v 11): “Don’t you know that the Philistines rule us, and they will punish us for what you did?”

It’s been said the root of all sin is pride. Pride could be defined as living independently of God, like our accomplishments are our own.

It would be easy to criticize the prideful Samson, but I’ve been there. Many of us have. It’s surprisingly easy to believe in our own success. Ever notice when things are going well, you don’t feel like you need God? I have.

We can see how it happened, but Samson’s demise is still unpleasant. I admit thinking, “It didn’t have to end this way. If only ….”

But it’s so much easier to see this in someone else’s life, isn’t it? All the mistakes. All the sins that separate a person from God’s perfect will for their lives. It’s a little more difficult to notice when we are straying.

Psalm 32 addresses the deepest and most severe of human conditions; our sinfulness. We all like sheep, have gone our own way (Isaiah 53:6). We know the painful consequences of our choices. We live as our own gods, rebelling against the rule of our Creator, and our behaviour shows it. All of us, like Adam and Eve, our first parents, attempt to conceal our sinfulness.