The ancient city gates were more than simple doors. The gate described here consisted of two doors (certainly constructed of thick timbers and possibly covered with metal to prevent burning during an attack) mounted on posts on each side and reinforced with a heavy crossbar, probably made of bronze. The weight of such a structure is incalculable, but it was certainly more than the average man could carry alone. Samson, however, carried the doors, posts, and the bar up a hill before Hebron, a city of Judah located thirty miles away and 3,300 feet above sea level. The city gate represents a place of great significance. It was a place where kings gave decrees to the people, armies were commanded for war, and important governmental business took place. In essence, the city gate was the “town square” of culture in Biblical times.

Overall, there is a clear picture of Samson’s actions that emerges. The Philistines, after being informed of Samson’s presence, saw that he was locked in the city and planned to capture him at dawn. Therefore, there would be no way for him to escape the entrapment that was laid out for him. At midnight, after the Philistines had vacated the area, Samson awoke to the inner understanding of a trap that was laid out for him. In a burst of courage and rare strength Samson urged the people to join with him vigorously against the great terror that the Philistines represented. 

Today’s verse speaks about the miracles that can happen at the midnight hour, which was the encouragement from Pastor Jentezen’s Sunday message. Samson was obviously steering away from his Nazarene vows, the direction that God intended for him. One thing was obvious, God had clearly not left Samson. Today’s message is pure in its intention. We might be at our worst ready to give up but there will always be a twelfth hour for God’s chosen ones, God always finds a way to open a door or in this case a gate even when we are not at our best. Is there really anything impossible for the God we love and serve?

Isaiah 45:2, “This is what the LORD says: “I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.”

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask forgiveness for all the times that I have not given You my very best, for all the times that I’ve steered away from the path You have intended for my life. I thank You for Your grace and mercy; I thank You for encouraging us through Your word and the life of Samson. Realizing that although You ask us to walk a life of righteousness, we sometimes fall short. In our humanity we want the contrary of what You have intended. Today we see through the eyes of Jesus our perfector and Lord, and ask that You help us walk in Your path, striving to honor You in all we do. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Meditate on the following, while Samson was at his worst, God alerted him against the trap that was set before him from his enemy the Philistines using his unique special gift, (strength) to encourage His people. Like Samson we sometimes are presented with opposition and temptations that could steer us away from our intended calling. 

Today’s word does not try to hide the ugly or the worst in a person's character. On the contrary the book of Judges shows us how steering aways from God's laws and calling will always bring out the worst in our human nature.