Just a Guy with an Ox Goad

Introduction

The period of the Judges in Israel’s history is disgraceful. It’s disgraceful because the privileged and blessed Israelites repeatedly turned their backs on the holy, loving Almighty God, and embraced fake, false gods. They worshiped these imaginary gods until the LORD judged them. They would eventually repent and enjoy God’s blessing for a time, and then would return to their idolatry, repeating the cycle. This happened several times in the book of the Judges, in a worsening downward spiral.

But before we get carried away in condemning OT Israel for their behavior, we need to note that this cycle is typical of all humanity, not just Israel. Human history is FULL of the repeated cycle of God’s blessing, man’s sin, God’s judgment, man’s repentance, God’s blessing, and man’s sin again. I’m guessing each one of us could relate to this!

While we cannot escape the effects of our sin nature in this life, it is God’s will, if this cycle is present in our lives, that it at least be an upward spiral, in which our choices to sin are less pronounced and prolonged than before, and our time spent in repentance and God’s blessing are more pronounced and prolonged than before. If the cycle is going in this direction, we may eventually see it end altogether. (Why must we experience God’s judgment before we repent? Why not repent instantly? Why not immediately sense our interrupted fellowship with God?)

On a national and worldwide scale, we are watching things descend deeper into the “sin” part of the cycle documented in Judges. It seems that nearly everyone is discarding truth and embracing error, to their own immediate and long-term detriment. God promises consequences for our actions, and those are visible everywhere. It also seems that God is sending judgment, but many are ignoring it. If we ignore God’s ordained judgment of our sin, it can only get worse. Rejecting God cannot possibly bring relief.

However, there is good news. In the midst of the deepening darkness of sin, God and His truth, along with His faithful servants, will remain a bright light, showing desperate seekers the path to deliverance. God wants to use us in that great work of deliverance! Whether it is witnessing to a lost one, or molding the young life of your child, or working to reconcile a wayward relative or fellow saint, God can use you, child of God. The infinite Creator doesn’t need us to accomplish His master plan, but He desires to use us. This morning, I would like us to study the very brief account of a man in the book of Judges, and apply the truths of it to our lives today.

Judges 3:31

And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.

We’ll be considering this verse phrase by phrase, and I pray that God will use it in our lives for His will.

I. “And after him was Shamgar...”

After whom?

After Ehud - great victory! Deliverance for 80 years! (Judges 3:12-30)

Deliverance needed again

Deliverance was still needed “after him.” (Shamgar appears to have worked during Ehud’s lifetime! Judges 4:1) Does life ever seem like “whack-a-mole”? But it’s not purposeless/pointless. God has a great work to do! When we focus on HIS work and HIS methods, we have joy. (The outcome becomes much less important to us when we are joyful in God’s work and methods!)

“Ehuds” AND “Shamgars” are needed

The devil is a relentless opponent. Perfection in this sin-cursed life won’t happen. What a blessing, then, that we can “enter the arena” and do great things by God’s grace and power! Have you benefited from “an Ehud?” Don’t think that God can’t use you. “Shamgars” are used by God, too.

Timing is crucial (“AFTER him”)

God is always on time. He’s not insensitive to time like us. (We are often more goal-oriented than time-oriented! God perfectly balances them both.)

II. “Shamgar the son of Anath...”

Shamgar: here a stranger; destroyer.

I find this an interesting meaning, because God’s people in this world are also strangers!

1 Peter 2:11–12 KJV 1900

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

As strangers in this world, God wants us to be chosen vessels for His service. The world will not understand or encourage this, but God will be pleased.

2 Timothy 2:20–21 KJV 1900

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Acts 9:15 KJV 1900

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Anath: An answer to prayer; answer or a granting.

Is this a coincidence? God included these details on purpose! It’s quite unlikely that Anath and Shamgar were named with these events in mind, but God certainly knew.

The great potential of parenting

Sometimes, God has world-changing things for you to do…and they just might include raising a child who will change the world. Athletics and academics and social opportunities are secondary. Raise your children to love and serve GOD!! Matt. 22:37-40

III. “Which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad...”

Action - “Which slew”

Successful life is all about action. Spiritual life requires it!

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV 1900)

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Even when we are to abstain from many potential actions, God still gives us an actionable mission.

Corporate: the Great Commission - Matt. 28:18-20

Personal: do everything to God’s glory! - Col. 3:16-17, 23

Colossians 3:16–17, 23 (KJV 1900)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him… And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

3. In the heart - Matt. 22:37-40

When we are idle, sin sees an inroad in our lives. Right and purposeful action is the proper course. Redeem the time!

Violent action - “Slew”

Fleeing is action, and is sometimes wise. (2 Tim. 2:22) However, we usually must take decision action against enemies. Perhaps some of you have been in combat, or some other kind of “life or death” struggle with another human being. You know that usually, failing to take violent action will mean your own death. Shamgar didn’t accidentally kill 600 Philistines. He was using an ox goad. (Long rod, sharpened at one end, possibly tipped with iron.) He slew 600 enemies because he continually took violent action until the threat was eliminated. Spiritually, God’s people must take continual “violent” action against the wicked world system, the sin nature, and against the devil and his demons, until victory is won. If we won’t take this vigorous violent action, we will be defeated. 2 Tim. 2:1-5

“Of the Philistines”

This was still fairly early in Israel’s occupation of Canaan, and in later years we read of many conflicts with the Philistines. But the Philistines were already permanent neighbors, and it could have been tempting to ignore or tolerate the Philistine problems. We can do the same thing. We recognize our own faults and weaknesses, and though we may not excuse them, we may not deal with them carefully, but instead tolerate them.

Psalm 19:14 KJV 1900

Let the words of my mouth, And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

If we’re using God’s standard, toleration of ANY sin is impossible.

Confrontation - “Of the Philistines 600 men...”

Shamgar didn’t sneak up on an unsuspecting Philistine village, killing 600 people, including women and children. This description seems pretty clear that he killed 600 soldiers, either in defending against their attack, or perhaps he attacked a garrison on his own. (The former seems more likely to me.) Regardless, Shamgar was meeting the enemy head on, at overwhelming odds. (600:1!!!!) I’m sure all of God’s people want victory, but there is no victory without battle. And there is no battle without confrontation. We are tempted to give up before the battle starts; we are tempted to surrender when the battle rages around us, and drags on. But victory only comes from God, and the battle is His! 1 Sam. 14:6, 17:47

Willingness - “With an ox goad...”

No weapons to be had? Judges 5:8

1 Samuel 13:19, 22

Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears...So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.

Whether he had no weapons, or he was unable to access them in time, Shamgar used what was available. (This is a good policy if you’re in an emergency situation! It’s remarkable what might be used as a weapon in a life-or-death emergency.)

Shamgar was likely a farmer or cattle herder. His is not a typical Israelite name, and so he appears to be a very unlikely hero. He was “just a guy with an ox goad,” but God greatly used his willingness to confront an overwhelming threat with decisive, violent action, using the unimpressive tool that was available. Are we so willing?

Shamgar’s willingness to stand against the enemy reminds me of something that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas once said about his work on the Court: “In this business, right is still right, even if you stand by yourself.” Shamgar stood alone for what was right, and God gave him victory.

IV. “And he also delivered Israel.”

“Deliverance” in Judges is an interesting thing. It is different than “judging,” but often concurrent.

Judges 2:16

Judges 3:9-10

Judges 3:28

Judges 4:1-4

Judges 7:7 (Gideon isn’t mentioned as a “judge” over Israel)

Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon - Judges 12:7-15

Samson - Judges 13:5, 15:20

This deliverance was needed! Notice the oppressive conditions of this time. Judges 5:6

Shamgar doesn’t appear to have judged Israel, but he did deliver them. Moreover, the deliverance was in addition to his victory in battle! (Samson won a greater battle by numbers, but Scripture doesn’t indicate that Israel was delivered.) Shamgar’s willingness was his choice; the victory was God’s. Israel’s deliverance was from God alone, given via Shamgar’s willingness. It is always this way. God’s work is done through His power; we just give Him permission to use us.

As wickedness multiplies around us, will we stand alone if necessary, taking action to confront evil, using what we have for God’s service, so that He may give us the victory? The battle is the Lord’s, along with all the glory. Shamgar was just a regular guy with an ox goad, but in God’s hands, he was a hero who was used to bring deliverance.

If we will stand for God, using the simple tools He has given us, He will use us, too. God is looking for more people like Shamgar!