How can today's bible reader get a deeper understanding of the Judges' Samson especially in light of (Galatians 5:16-17) & (Isaiah 55:8-9)?

[bartmac123]

(Judges 14:1-4) (New American Standard Bible 1995)

Then Samson went down to Timnah and saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines. 2 So he came [a]back and told his father and mother, “I saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife.” 3.......more scripture.....more scripture...... But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she [e]looks good to me.” 4 However, his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. Now at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.

(Galatians 5:16-17)(New American Standard Bible 1995)

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh [a]sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

(Isaiah 55:8-9) (New American Standard Bible 1995)

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

How can today's bible reader get a deeper understanding of the Judges' Samson especially in light of (Galatians 5:16-17) & (Isaiah 55:8-9)?

[bartmac123]

I suppose a somewhat related modern day real life scenario would be like the following:

A Christian man named John Doe seems to be enamoured by a lady named Mary Smith. However, even though Mary Smith has the physical attractive features that perks John Doe's interest, Mary is deep down an arrogant, selfish & rude person.

John Doe approaches Mary Smith at a party, church gathering, etc.

John Doe: Hey, how is it going? What is your name?

Mary Smith: (in a cynical, arrogant manner suspecting that he is attempting to try and court her says in an uncaring manner) My name is Mary

John Doe: So what made you come to the party?(Or When did you start coming to this church?)

Mary Smith: (Mary responds rashly & arrogantly). I do Not even know you. Who are you? Why do you care?

I suppose a key event that is similar to Mary's harsh response to Samson's story is when Samson's father-in-law gives away Samson's first wife to some other companion:

(Judges 15:1-2) (New American Standard Bible 1995)

But after a while, in the time of wheat harvest, Samson visited his wife with a young goat, and said, “I will go in to my wife in her room.” But her father did not let him enter. 2 Her father said, “I really thought that you hated her intensely; so I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister [a]more beautiful than she? Please let her be yours instead.”

Now, here is where my story sort of diverges from Samson's story in Judges. John sheepishly walks away or quiets down. I suppose you could say that John Smith has The Holy Spirit's humility or meekness(gentleness). (Side Note, relevant verse: Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the [a]gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." ).

However, God's intentions and plans were quite successful in a strange way. Since Mary responded rashly & arrogantly to John at a party or church gathering, it is a signal to other people at the party or church gathering that Mary is Not a nice person, and has serious problems. Therefore, other people at the party or church gathering will avoid Mary, and Not want to socialize with her. God disciplines Mary by make her ostracized by others because of the arrogance that she displayed.

However, unlike John Doe who sheepishly walks away or quiets down, Samson yields to his fleshly desires, and decides to do harm to the Philistines by taking revenge:

(Judges 15:3-4) (New American Standard Bible 1995)

3 Samson then said to them, “This time I shall be blameless in regard to the Philistines when I do them harm.” 4 Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took torches, and turned the foxes tail to tail and put one torch in the middle between two tails.

[Jayne]

There is some whack-a-doodle stuff in the book of Judges.  WHACK-A-DOODLE!!!! 

Samson is part of that.  He had some deep-seeded issues that all seemed to stem from pride.

Yes, God used Samson.  But God also used a talking donkey, a prostitute, a floating ax head, the too young and the too old, and a giant fish.

God uses whom he will and what he will.  He used David, the adulterer and murderer.  He used Rahab the harlot.  He used a chariot made of fire and five loaves/two fish.