Judges - t

My input today is in regards to the entire book of Judges up to this point.

It is very cyclical in nature.  Israelites doing evil in the eyes of the Lord, and God allowing someone to conquer them.  Here's my point.
Every time God raises someone up to help the nation out of bondage....its someone completely different than the last time.  I was looking back through the chapters, and I'm amazed at the difference in the people, as well as their approach to God and his plan.
Take these 3 for example.
1.  Deborah - we don't have a record of her speaking to God, or receiving a message from God......and probably the biggest thing that makes her unique is the fact that she is a woman.  Women usually didn't hold offices at this point in history, and were almost considered second class citizens.  And yet, God works his wonders through her.
2.  Gideon- we find him thrashing wheat.  He is the youngest/weakest man in the weakest tribe of Israel.....and God comes to him directly.  Gideon needs several signs to convince him that God is really talking to him.  But, when he is convinced, he turns into this great warrior for God.  Everything he does is for the glory of God.
3.  Samson - there isn't any narrative that talks of God speaking to Samson.  The angel speaks to his parents, in preparation for him.  Samson is the most outwardly strong hero we have seen.  He has all the attributes needed to bring down the Phillistines.  And yet, I don't see anything in the story that tells me that he is concerned about what God wants.  He is almost the accidental hero for God.  This is proof-positive that God can do his work through people that think they are acting according to their own plan.   The other one that really gets me here, is that the Spirit of the Lord comes over Samson 3 times in his portion of the story.  He is the only one where we see this.
This is only my opinion is that Samson has the worst attitude of all the heroes, and yet he receives the greatest gift.  Doesn't that seem strange?

Three completely different people.  Three completely different approaches to how to accomplish the goal.  Three completely different attitudes.  Crazy!

If you re-read about the other heroes, they are equally unique in their story/background/heart.

God is amazing!  I don't always understand why/how he does things.  But, I'm grateful to serve a God that is infinitely smarter than I am.

Have a great Turkey-Day.
go Lions!