We are all familiar with the story of strong-man Samson. Of course, the name that always goes with Samson is Delilah. Samson's story is found in Judges, chapters 13, 14 and 15. There are a number of points in the life of Samson that parallel the life of Jesus.

You may recall that Samson was the fourth of the seven miraculous births found in the Bible. In the menorah of those births, Samson was in the servant lamp position. His name means "sunny" or "sun-hero", fitting the servant lamp position. In The Revelation chapter one, Jesus is in the servant lamp position, "standing in the midst of seven golden lamps."

The birth of Samson was announced to his mother by an angel, as was the birth of Jesus announced to Mary. Samson, to the dismay of his Hebrew parents, took a gentile wife. The church, largely gentile, is the Bride of Christ.

Samson was given thirty companions at the wedding, probably because no Hebrews came along. Dr. Ed. F. Vallowe, who prefers to be referred to as Evangelist, says that the number "30" represents the life of Jesus, the blood of Jesus and dedication.

In order to obtain linen garments for his thirty companions, Samson presented a riddle to the Phillistines and gave them seven days to solve it. At the end of the seven years of Tribulation, the Church will be given fine linen garments (The Revelation 19:8).

In the end Samson was betrayed for silver, as was Jesus. He was humiliated by his enemies, as was Jesus. When he was standing between the two supporting columns of the pagan temple, and was pushing against them, he was in the same form as Jesus on the Cross. With his arms outstretched, he died in the same position as did Jesus.

There is a saying, "The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed. The Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed." I would that we were wise enough to see all that the Lord concealed in His Word. May His Name be praised forever.