Nag

Definition: to annoy or irritate (a person) with persistent fault-finding or continuous urging *

Approximate Number of Occurrences in Scripture (4)

Read: Judges chapter 16 for full context of this account

Judges 16:16-17 (NIV) 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. 17 So he told her everything. "No razor has ever been used on my head," he said, "because I have been a Nazirite set apart to God since birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man."

That Was Then

Can you imagine going up against the strongest man in the world? Picking a fight with Samson was akin to earning a degree from the School of Hard Knockouts. But there’s one opponent he couldn’t beat with all his might – a nagging wife.

Samson was a miracle baby born to parents who had trouble conceiving. An angel of the LORD appeared to them with a precise agenda:

1. Samson was to be dedicated to GOD as a Nazarite from birth,

2. He would begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines, and

3. His hair must never be cut.

GOD anointed Samson with an enviable gift of supernatural physical strength for his assignment. Sadly, Samson was carnal and used his gifts for his own advantage; which rendered him spiritually vulnerable. His Achilles heel by far was women. Early on we see that he easily succumbed to nagging as his first wife wore him down to get the answer to a riddle he challenged his companions at his bachelor party to solve. With a substantial prize on the line, they enticed her to acquire it and tell them so they can win the bet. That game of wits cost the lives of 30 innocent men Samson robbed and killed to pay off the bet. (see Judges 14).

Sometime later, Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah. The Philistine rulers, who had a vested interest in Samson’s demise for his many infractions against them, knew of his weakness for the softer sex. They lured Delilah to get him to share with her the secret to his strength so they can apprehend him. She was thoroughly incentivized as they promised her enough silver to set her for life, but her first several attempts were unsuccessful. Growing impatient and compelled by her own greed, she turned up the nagging and manipulation full throttle so as to wear him down to the point of death. Buckling under the insufferable pressure, he told her that he was a Nazarite who vowed never to cut his hair. Now having all she needed to cash in on her treachery, she sold him out to the Philistines who cut off his hair and tied him up while he was sleeping, rendering him as weak as any other man. He had no idea GOD’s Spirit left him until it was too late. They gouged out his eyes, shackled him and sentenced him to forced labor in prison. While jailed, his hair grew (as did his strength) and in his last act of revenge he collapsed the two pillars that supported the building, killing himself and all 3,000 people in it. Delilah’s nagging stripped Samson of his connection with GOD, his seat as judge over Israel, his freedom, his life and the lives of over 3,000 Philistines.

This is Now

Henry is ecstatic as he pulls up to the course to meet the guys for a rare round of Saturday morning golf. It’s his turn to tee off and he is surprised to find a post-it note taped to the handle of his driving wedge that read “Johnson’s party tonight. Be home by 3pm”. He smirks and concentrates on hitting his ball farther than Dave’s. Feeling great about his game so far, he’s enjoying trash talking while reaching for his 5-iron. He’s stunned as he pulls another post-it from the handle that read: “Johnson’s party tonight. Apply sunscreen. No sunburn now = no excuses later!” Rolling his eyes, he makes a near perfect drive. His game is progressing so well, he’s taking bets from the guys that he’ll birdie this hole. On his next turn, he focuses, takes a deep breath and is on the brink of swearing when he finds the following post-it on his 9-iron: “Johnson’s party tonight. Allow time for nap. Don’t want you cranky.” By now, the guys are starting to heckle him – calling him “Henpecked Hank”. Trying his best to stay in the zone; he shakes it off to no avail. His ball glides gracefully over the water only to land in the sand trap. Henry is noticeably quiet and tense while the other guys complete their shots. At this point, he just wants to ‘make it to the dancefloor’ (putting green). In a fit of rage, he dumps his entire bag when he found a post-it on his sand wedge that read “Johnson’s party tonight. Eat light lunch. They’re serving lamb.” To his utter astonishment and embarrassment, every single club in his bag had a nagging post-it about the Johnson’s party stuck to the handle.

Henry finished the golf game, but it was his personal worst. Arriving home, he busted through the door yelling at the top of his exasperated lungs. Carol, Henry’s wife is surprised and visibly frightened by his reaction as she thought her clever reminders were helpful. Henry mercilessly laid into Carol – telling her that her incessant nagging is stressful, insulting, disrespectful and makes him feel like an irresponsible child. Not one for being spoken to with that tone, Carol’s gloves came off. She shouted that if he wasn’t so forgetful, selfish, and lazy maybe she wouldn’t have to nag. Perhaps if she could trust him to do what he said, she would nag a lot less. Of course, Henry countered by yelling maybe he would do more if she nagged less. This back and forth banter lasted all evening long, but got progressively calmer as they both stated what they needed from the other to manage expectations, while cutting each other some slack in the meantime. Henry and Carol finally reached terms of peace, only to find that they totally missed the Johnson’s party.

Who Said That?!!!

“I’m not a nag, I’m a motivational speaker.” ― Unknown **

What Do You Say?

AFFIRMATION: "I encourage, urge and sometimes even rebuke; but then I let it go."

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