Lenten Devotional (7) and Interpretations of Samson

Bitterness and Pleasantness

One of the most well-known names in the Bible is Naomi. Her name means “pleasant.” Yet, when she returned to Israel, she asked to be called Mara, which means “bitter.”

“Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me."

It is an astounding thing that nowhere after this verse is she referred to as "Mara," as she prefers. The author and the characters speak of her only as Naomi, the pleasant one.

While we work hard against evil during this Lenten Season, we need to remind ourselves that the one working in us will carry us to completion (Phil. 1:6). Our identity is bound up in him. The Naomi story teaches us that whether we feel bitter or even choose to identify ourselves with bitterness, God continues to view us as pleasant. We are called this Lent to live according to how God sees us, not how we wish to be seen or understood.

Happy Lent! God is pleased with you.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, whose faithfulness reaches to the skies, we give you thanks for looking upon us on earth with your favor. Teach us to see ourselves as you see us rather than to fight to see ourselves apart from you through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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Notations:

*I am always intrigued by how quickly evangelical interpreters attribute behavioristic failures to God’s servants. Consider Samson—set aside and used by the Spirit from birth to death—whose life becomes a template for sinful behavior. While the text indicates Samson entered some prodigalness, the totality of his life, including his death, reads like an autobiography of how an ambassador of God operates. Samson is the true Israelite who deceives the Philistines and crushes their skulls.

*A note on Jesus’ playfulness from my dissertation:

The wedding at Cana was a display of Jesus’ playfulness with his children. He does not merely transform water into wine (John 2:8), but he reveals his delight in heightening the people's joy. Christ makes abundant provision by supplying more than needed indicating that he gives with no miserly hand.

*My conversation with Chase Davis a few months ago on rhetoric and writing: