Brain vs Brawn
The ‘Geeks’ have to train the ‘Beauties’ in academic knowledge, while the ‘Beauties’ try to make the ‘Geeks’ more trendy and visually desirable.
Reference: v.18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. (TNIV Bible)
Explore: I’m always intrigued to watch the show, “Beauty and the Geek,” with my daughter. It’s a show where a group of gorgeous women are paired up with a group of intelligent, yet not so glamorous, gentleman to compete against the other couples in certain tasks. The ‘Geeks’ have to train the ‘Beauties’ in academic knowledge, while the ‘Beauties’ try to make the ‘Geeks’ more trendy and visually desirable. While the ‘Geeks’ in this show would never have been given a second glance by the ‘Beauties,’ they soon come to appreciate each other for the different gifts and abilities they have. While the Beauties are honest enough to admit that they usually look for the brawn in a gentleman, they soon discover that the brain can be just as appealing.
Application: I must say I’m a little confused with the story of Samson and Delilah. Samson was a dedicated servant of God and God blessed him with great strength – and even wisdom in earlier chapters. And yet in this chapter, I feel like he relied on his brawn rather than his brain. His wife was trying to take away his strength, and after failing three times, he finally told her what would make him weak. Why?! After she has tried to strip him of his strength three times, why would you trust her with the truth? It just seems so foolish. And Samson suffers for his foolishness, as she betrays him, and he is captured by his enemies. There’s nothing wrong with brawn, as we see earlier in Samson’s life how God blesses him with great strength. If this power is from God, then it can’t be wrong. However, I think it helps to have some brain behind the brawn, so that we make wise decisions to live a life that glorifies God.
Prayer: Lord, there are many reasons why we make bad decisions – the desire to be accepted, greed, pride. Help us to put these selfish desires aside and strive to serve you. Amen.
Which aspect do you relate to most: brawn or brain?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.