FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
PRIDE BEFORE THE FALL
Aristotle the Greek philosopher would have loved the story of Samson and Delilah. He would have loved it because the story seemed to perfectly fit his definition of the word tragedy. Aristotle claimed that tragedy is the account of some strong human being who is destroyed by a single character flaw.
In Pastor Pete’s message at Forge, he summarized Samson’s downfall. Delilah was in cahoots with her Philistine friends, who offered her big money to try to chain down the man who had become the symbol of strength to the Israelites. “Get him to tell you how he keeps all that strength,” they pleaded, “and we’ll line your bathtub with silver.” Not exactly in those words, but you get the jist.
Samson may have had big muscles, but he certainly didn’t have Solomon’s brains. Four times Delilah tried to subdue him before she finally won. You’d think he would have gotten the hint. Scripture says she nagged him so long he was “tired to death.” But he kept letting her nag and nag and nag. Why didn’t he just throw Delilah out on her rear. Why? BECAUSE OF HIS PRIDE.
Aristotle had something to say about that too. He claimed that the one character flaw that most often leads the tragic hero to his downfall is nothing other than pride…
Samson’s tragic fall led to the end of his freedom. He was a prisoner of the Philistines, a sorry figure they used for entertainment. So goes the great hero.
One more thing about the philosopher, Aristotle. He claimed that tragedy should deeply affect those who see it. He said tragedy should lead to a catharsis in those who truly understand what has gone on. Catharsis is a big word, but its meaning is not so difficult. It means “a cleansing.” Having seen a great person fall, people should be cleansed of their own pride, Aristotle wrote. They should see themselves in the great fall of a tragic hero.
That’s something Pastor Pete said we should all think about as well when we’re patting ourselves on the back and taking credit instead of giving it to God.
As the old saying goes, “Pride goes before a fall.”
Joe Bouch
Forge Winter Springs
