“Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey…”
(Judges 15:15 NIV)
Samson’s Victory
If you don’t know about Samson, read Judges 13-16. He may be the most intriguing person you ever read about. But this devotional isn’t about Samson, although we do need to hear a little of Samson’s story. It’s about a donkey—specifically the one who lost his jawbone. Here’s some context:
As he [Samson] approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands. Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.
Then Samson said,
“With a donkey’s jawbone
I have made donkeys of them.
With a donkey’s jawbone
I have killed a thousand men.”
(Judges 15:14-16 NIV)
God made Samson a judge, meaning he worked through Samson to deliver the Israelite people from their oppressors. On this occasion, Samson successfully defeats a thousand enemies. In doing so, he is, in a small way, fulfilling his God-given role.
How God Provided for Samson
And how does he do it? “Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey.” Have you ever happened upon a fresh jawbone of a donkey? What circumstances would lend themselves to providing you with a fresh jawbone of a donkey? And why was the jawbone no longer a part of the donkey? That one phrase seems to hide a bigger story—and presumably a pretty complicated one.
But there it was—just what Samson needed at just the right time.
A sword didn’t fall from heaven, and Samson didn’t take up any other ordinary weapon. Samson didn’t have time to consult the local armory. He picked up the one very strange thing God provided, and it worked.
God Promises to Provide for You
There are provisions in our lives we can pass off as insignificant—like this jawbone. There are stories in our lives that go untold—like how the jawbone was separated from the donkey and got into Samson’s hands. Yet, behind them all, our God is working to provide for us in order to accomplish his purposes.
Let this weird story encourage you today. When you are walking in God’s will, you will find just what you need at just the right time. Remember Jesus’ words to us: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT).