Judges 3 Verse 31 and Judges 5 Verses 7 to 8 An Unknown, Known by God October 17, 2021

Judges 3 Verse 31 and Judges 5 Verses 7 to 8 An Unknown, Known by God

October 17, 2021 Class Presentation Notes AA

Background Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24

Main Idea: It is God who qualifies the unqualified and God who equips the unequipped. God tends to use the people who others would never choose. We note that God calls up people who are already at work in His Kingdom.

Study Aim: To see how often and easily we can hand God what He has already given us to serve Him and serve others.

Create Interest:

· God had clearly commanded the Israelites to drive out the enemy from the promised land.

o But instead of obeying God, the Israelites became attracted by the lifestyle and economic wealth of the Canaanites.

o Consequently, they began to compromise with the Canaanites and allow them to live in the promised land.

o The result was tragic. The Israelites began to live just like their Canaanite neighbors. Greed, immorality, pleasure, comfort, fleshly stimulation—a permissive lifestyle—began to dominate their lives.

o The Israelites became a permissive, compromising people, a people who had turned away from God to the false ways and gods of this world.

· Compromise—a permissive lifestyle—is always the danger that confronts God’s people.

o The bright lights and pleasures of this world—money, houses, land, possessions; recognition, honor, fame, position, and power—all these things are attractive to the human eye and flesh. And some degree of all these things is either necessary or enjoyable throughout life.

o But focusing upon these things to the extent that we forget God is sin. It is evil in the sight of God. God is to be the primary focus in life. When we make Him the focus, all the necessities of life are provided for us. God sees that no need ever goes unmet in any true believer’s life. For this reason, we must never live a compromising, permissive lifestyle of sin and evil.[1]

Lesson in Historical Context:

· There is never anything very original about the sin of Israel. It is worth remembering that although Satan must not be underestimated, his objectives are nevertheless quite boringly predictable. The most varied and exotic of temptations are never anything more than lures into the same old seven deadly sins.

· Forgetting the Lord their God, and serving the Baals and Ashtaroth, are simply the Israelites’ version of these. We noted in connection with Othniel that the sin which led to that classic judgeship was ‘the classic sin of preferring the local gods to Israel’s own God’: the sin, that is, of centering her life on the values of the world around her, and of assuming that in practice they are more important and valid than the Lord is. This is the ‘evil’ which Israel repeatedly does ‘in the sight of the Lord’ throughout the time of the judges. We find nothing unexpected here.

· Nor is there anything unpredictable about the purposes of God. Just as repeatedly, he makes plain his hatred of sin, his call to repentance, and his willingness to put right those who return to him. In the law He has spelt out what this means in practical daily living. Furthermore, He has given clear directions about Israel’s attitude to her new land and the present occupants of it. There is neither confusion nor variation in any of these matters.[2]

· In the long double-introduction, the author, in showing that Israel failed to drive idols out of their land, highlights the dramatic “tension” between God’s holy commands, and his loving, faithful promise. God demands obedience, yet he has promised to save his people. As a result of this “tension,” the children of Israel go into a cyclical pattern of decline, caused by their idolatry, and revival, brought by God’s saving mercy. God continually chastens them for their sin, but he then delivers them from their peril. He never casts them off but continues graciously and severely to work for their growth.

· In chapter 3, we now get specific “case histories” which reveal these principles. We meet the first three judges: Othniel, Ehud, and (in one verse!) Shamgar.[3]

· Othniel became Israel’s first judge (deliverer) and fought against the enemy. Note the impact of the statement, the sense of an immediate response to the coming of God’s Spirit: the Spirit of the Lordcame upon Othniel and he became Israel’s deliverer and immediately went to war. The result was victory. Victory was assured by the presence and power of God’s Spirit. Through God’s Spirit, the enemy was defeated, overpowered by Othniel, the first deliverer of God’s people.

· Othniel brought peace to Israel for 40 years. For an entire generation, God’s people lived in peace. They were able to rebuild their homes, grow and reap the harvest of their crops, and build a strong economy. No longer did they fear the assault and abuse of their property or of their wives and children.

· The presence of God’s Spirit brought a great sense of security to God’s people. Othniel served as judge for the remaining years of his life. Keep in mind that the function of the judge was to serve both as a military deliverer and as a civil authority who managed the affairs of the nation. It was, no doubt, the presence of God’s Spirit that gave spiritual leadership to Othniel. It was certainly his spiritual leadership that brought a 40-year peace to the people. For as we shall soon see, right after his death, the people once again turned away from God.

· Next up after more downward spiral for 18 years is Ehud, left-handed (itter) could be translated shut, restricted, handicapped, disabled. Perhaps Ehud was disabled, unable to use his right hand. If so, he is a great encouragement to the handicapped—or to any person with a physical disability. God used him and used him mightily despite his handicap.

· The story of Ehud is entertaining and full of intrigue. Eglon, king of Moab, had taken possession of Jericho, the City of Palms (3:13; cp. Deut. 34:3), thereby controlling the Israelite religious center of Gilgal and the crucial eastern highways into and out of the central hill country. In effect, Eglon was retracing Joshua's footsteps to claim Israel's Promised Land for Moab[4].

· The result of the great deliverance by Ehud was 80 years of peace (v. 30). Liberty was secured. The bells of freedom could ring loud and clear throughout Israel. The nation could declare its independence, for victory had been achieved over the Moabite coalition. The enemy had been soundly defeated. And following Ehud’s great victory and triumph, the Israelites were to enjoy the longest period of peace they were to know throughout the period of the judges, 80 years of peace.

· We must all keep this one fact in mind: it was great faith in God that delivered the Israelites from their enemy. Ehud trusted God to lead him step by step.

o Because he trusted God and led the Israelites to trust God, God gave His people victory over their enemy. God broke the power of the enemy to oppress His people.

o Ehud was raised up by God to be a picture of great faith for all generations of believers.

o The narrator of Judges knows Ehud is God’s appointed agent. If Israel is delivered from the oppression of the Moabites, the credit must go entirely to Yahweh. He raised up the deliverer (v. 15), and he delivered the enemy into the hands of Ehud. He has been gracious again to an undeserving people.[5]

o Ehud stands before us, showing us how we must trust God as we walk throughout life. It is faith that gives us the victory (1 Jn. 5:4–5). In fact, without faith, it is impossible to please God (He. 11:6). This is exactly what Scripture declares.

· Although the trials we study about can be seen as Israel’s misery and the rescues as God’s grace, it is spelt out for us that trials, as well as deliverances, come from the hand of God. In other words, where there is unexpectedness in the story it is put there by God. It is only the God who set the original pattern (Cushan-Rishathaim and Othniel) who is at liberty to vary it. We see this happening in the ways by which he brings his people low.

· But we see it happening even more, so that the variety of his methods becomes quite bewildering, in the ways by which he saves, restores, and blesses them.[6]

· Our lesson fast forwards to Verse 31 and we briefly meet Shamgar.

Thoughts to Soak on as we continue into this downward spiral of Israel’s people

Just note the wonderful promises of God[7]

· We must be filled with God’s Spirit. God’s Spirit within us—His presence and power—makes us more than conquerors throughout life. This is the strong declaration of Scripture:

o God’s Spirit gives us the truth of God’s Word and helps us remember His Word.

§ John 14:26 (NIV2011) 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

o God’s Spirit comforts us.

§ John 14:16-17 (NIV2011) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

o God’s Spirit empowers us to bear witness for Christ.

§ John 15:26-27 (NIV2011) 26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

§ Acts 1:8 (NIV2011) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

o God’s Spirit convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

§ John 16:7-11 (NIV2011) 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

o God’s Spirit bears within us the fruit of God’s nature.

§ Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV2011) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

o God’s Spirit transports us into heaven, right into the presence of Christ and of God’s glory.

§ Acts 7:55 (NIV2011) 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

o God’s Spirit produces a strong testimony of righteousness and goodness, a testimony that others see.

§ Acts 11:24 (NIV2011) 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

o God’s Spirit floods our hearts with joy.

§ Acts 13:52 (NIV2011) 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

o God’s Spirit fills us with victorious, triumphant power, the power to conquer any and all enemies that seek to defeat and destroy us.

§ Zechariah 4:6 (NIV2011) 6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

· God will deliver us from all oppression of the enemy, no matter who or what the enemy is. This is also the strong declaration of Scripture:

o God delivers us from the enemies of temptations and trials, all temptations and trials.

§ 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV2011) 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

o God delivers us from the enemy of death.

§ 2 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV2011) 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

o God delivers us from the enemy of evil works.

§ 2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV2011) 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

o God delivers us from the enemy himself, Satan, and from his power over death.

§ Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV2011) 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

o God delivers us from the enemy of poverty.

§ Psalm 40:17 (NIV2011) 17 But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.

o God delivers us from the enemy of snares and traps and of deadly pestilences or plagues.

§ Psalm 91:3 (NIV2011) 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

o God delivers us from the enemy of fear and dismay.

§ Isaiah 41:10 (NIV2011) 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

o God delivers us from the enemy of dread and hopelessness of old age.

§ Isaiah 46:4 (NIV2011) 4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

o God delivers us from the enemies who mock and persecute us.

§ Jeremiah 1:7-8 (NIV2011) 7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

o God Himself is our great Deliverer.

§ 2 Samuel 22:2 (NIV2011) 2 He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

Bible Study:

Judges 3:28-31 (NASB) 31 After him came Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad; and he also saved Israel.

· The name “Shamgar” means either “sword” or “cupbearer”. Either name would fit with the details we have concerning this man. He was like a “sword” in the hand of God, as God used him to destroy the enemies of Israel. He was like a “cupbearer” who brought the cup of God’s wrath to those God would judge.[8]

· There are three reasonable explanations for why Shamgar’s story was incorporated into the book of Judges: because Shamgar is mentioned in the Song of Deborah (Judg. 5:6), the author wanted to give him a story; because Shamgar defeated the Philistines, who later became Israel’s archenemy, his story was incorporated into Israelite tradition and subsequently into the book of Judges; because the author wanted to present twelve judges, so incorporated Shamgar’s story to complete the roster. While the last explanation is likely correct, they may not be mutually exclusive reasons; some may be combined with others, or all three may be combined.[9]

· After Ehud’s covert mission we are given a brief description of Shamgar, and we find that another mold is broken. He was neither a man of impeccable pedigree (like Othniel) nor of visible deformity (like Ehud). But he struck down 600 Philistines—in what Alfred Edersheim described as an act of ‘sudden sacred enthusiasm’—and fought the enemy before they gained a foothold. Shamgar represented a sudden shift in the way in which the Lord was at work, reminding us that with God we must expect the unexpected[10]

· Shamgar’s judgeship appears to have transpired after Ehud’s deliverance but before his death (the historical notice in 4:1 continues after Ehud’s death rather than after Shamgar’s)[11].

· The length of the time when the land enjoyed rest is not told. A peculiarity is that Ehud, not Shamgar, is mentioned, in 4:1, although the historicity of Shamgar and the chronological order of events is attested by the reference in the Song of Deborah (5:6). The reference to Ehud in 4:1 could be easily explained on the assumption that Shamgar’s isolated exploit was during his lifetime.[12]

· The Shamgar cycle is not a wide-angle lens or a normal lens; neither is it a zoom lens. It is a microscopic lens offering us a small snapshot of a cycle. Shamgar was largely an unknown hero, but his audacity is admirable.

· Another time of oppression had come on the land when there was no Ehud to stand in the gap. The people were again going on sinning, and God was again beginning to smite them with the rod—Jabin in the north, and the Philistines in the south. Anath, some supposed to be the same with Anathoth, which was a sacerdotal city of the tribe of Benjamin, a few miles to the north of Jerusalem, and the birthplace afterwards of the prophet Jeremiah.[13]

· We know next to nothing about Shamgar. He didn't continue and lead or "judge" God's people.

· Shamgar is one of six individuals we call “minor” judges, because not much is written about them. Yet the work they did for God was just as important in their day as anyone else’s work.[14]

o We know nothing of his relationship with other believers, if such a relationship existed. In fact, we know nothing of his relationship with the Lord.

o We know nothing about the duration of peace or of his subsequent career.

o We do know that his weapon of choice was an oxgoad.[15]

§ This implement is eight feet long, and at the larger end about six inches in circumference. It is armed at the lesser end with a sharp prong for driving the cattle, and on the other with a small iron paddle for removing the clay which encumbers the plough in working.[16]

§ The fact of their deliverer having no better weapon enhances his faith, and the power of his Divine helper. At the same time, it shows how low the men of Judah were brought at this time, being disarmed by their oppressors (Judges 5:8), as was also the case later (1 Sam. 13:19).[17]

· As to his origins… He was “the son of Anath”, a Gentile name, which suggests that he may have come from a pagan background. As far as his employment was concerned, he was a simple ploughman. However, the grace and mercy of God gave him a place among His people. It is not the vessel but what God puts into the vessel that counts![18]

· We can surmise that Shamgar was a physically fit man, a man with a very strong body. It is not specifically stated that Shamgar was a judge, but the fact that he is said to come after or succeed Ehud shows that he was considered one of the judges.

· He was one of the saviors or deliverersof Israel, what is known as one of the minor judges of Israel. He was a contemporary of Deborah, Barak, and Jael (Judges 5:6). He lived in southwest Canaan where the Philistines were beginning to move in with force and gain a strong foothold.

· Shamgar is said to be the son of Anath, the name of the Canaanite goddess of war.

o Does this mean that Shamgar was a convert from the false religion or worship of Anath?

o Or the son of a mixed marriage between a Jew and Canaanite who engaged in false worship and reared their son in the worship of Anath?

o Or is the reference merely a nickname that means “son of battle” or “mighty warrior”?

o The answer is not given. Perhaps it simply means that he was a son from the city of Anath.

· Just imagine the physical fitness and the strength of Shamgar. He single-handedly defeated and slew 600 Philistine marauders or bandits who were assaulting and robbing Israelite travelers.

o Most likely he killed the bandits over a long period of time, not all in one battle. One battle would not have made his territory or highway safe, not for long. Other bandits would have quickly arisen due to their evil hearts of greed and willingness to assault and murder people for money.

o Attacking and eliminating a band of thieves as they arose from time to time would have secured the territory and highway for a long, long time.

· The point is this: Shamgar had a body that was physically fit. Scripture declares that he alone—single-handedly—killed 600 Philistines. To stand face-to-face in combat with 600 individuals, each time being in a life-threatening situation—and to win all 600 contests—took great strength. Shamgar had obviously taken care of his body, eaten the right foods and keeping himself strong.

Thoughts to soak on:

· God cares deeply about the human body. We must never forget the importance God places upon our bodies:

o God has placed our minds and spirits, thoughts, and behavior inside our human bodies.

o God sent His own Son to earth in a human body (He. 2:14–15; 10:5–10).

o God says that our bodies are to be sacrificed, dedicated to Him (Ro. 12:1–2; 1 Co. 9:27).

o God resurrected the body of His Son to live forever in His presence as our Advocate, our Mediator (Ro. 4:25; 8:34; He. 4:14–15).

o God says that our bodies are the very temples of God’s Spirit (1 Co. 6:19–20).

o God has promised to raise up our bodies in the last days (Jn. 6:40; 1 Co. 15:42–44; Ph. 3:20–21).

o God says that He is going to judge us for the things we have done in our bodies (2 Co. 5:10).

· The point is very meaningful and clear: the human body—our bodies—are important to God; therefore, we must take care of them. We must eat right and exercise, keep our bodies physically fit and strong.

Let’s move on:

· Shamgar had a persevering, unshakable courage. He was an exceptionally brave man.

· Israel needed deliverance, for he saved/delivered Israel; how great the distress was Deborah afterwards related in her song (ch. 5:6), that in the days of Shamgar the highways were unoccupied, etc.; that part of the country which lay next to the Philistines was so infested with plunderers that people could not travel the roads in safety, but were in danger of being set upon and robbed, nor durst they dwell in the unguarded villages, but were forced to take shelter in the fortified cities.[19]

· Courageously, Shamgar set out to rid his area of the raiders and to keep the roads safe.

· His persevering, unshakable courage is seen in that he saved Israel; that is, the area of Israel where he lived. He delivered his people from the Philistine outlaws and raiders.

· The idea is that he continued to free his area, kept it safe year after year. He demonstrated courage time and again, attacked band after band of marauding raiders. Over the years, the number of bandits killed by Shamgar personally totaled 600.

Thought to Soak On:

· No matter who the enemy is, no matter how powerful the enemy, no matter how often the enemy attacks—we are to be brave and courageous.We are to persevere in courage, be unshakable and immovable, always standing fast for the Lord. Note what Scripture teaches us😊

o 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV2011) 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

o Ephesians 3:16 (NIV2011) 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

o Psalm 27:1-3 (NIV2011) 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

· Judges 5:8 (NASB) 8 "New gods were chosen; Then war was in the gates. Not a shield or a spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.

· Have you ever thought in your personal pity party for which you sent out no invitations, and to make it worse, no one came and cared, that you did not have what you needed, what it takes, or whatever you were then lamenting about not having…and needing…you thought? Shamgar was different.

· Shamgar was totally dedicated, fully committed to the Lord. This is seen in the fact that he used what little he had for God. And what little he had! All he had was an oxgoad.

· One point is clear from the context of Judges: God was with Shamgar, enabling his victory. Again, God accomplished his purposes while using strange tools. Sometimes he uses a laser beam; sometimes he uses an oxgoad😊.

· Joseph Parker said, “What is a feeble instrument in the hands of one man is a mighty instrument in the hands of another, simply because the spirit of that other burns with holy determination to accomplish the work that has to be done.”[20]

· Obviously, Shamgar and his neighbors had been disarmed either by the Philistines or Jabin, king of the Canaanite conquerors (Judges 4:1–24).

o The lack of material weapons did not stop the spirit of Shamgar. He did not have the latest weapons of war but did have God’s presence and power with him. He trusted God for strength and used the only weapon he had, an oxgoad.

o His victory over six hundred Philistines is unexplained. We wonder if this took place over a period of time, or all at once perhaps in a narrow pass, or in some other scenario. He is categorized as being against the enemies of God's people, so that he too(alongside Othniel and Ehud) saved Israel.

o He was a man of dedication, a man who was totally committed to the Lord and to the Promised Land.

o Consequently, Shamgar was committed to defeating the enemies of righteousness who stood opposed to the hope of the promised land.

o He gave the Lord what little resource he had—a simple oxgoad—and used it to fight against the enemies of the Lord.[21]

Thoughts to Soak On:

· Dedication—total commitment of all we are and have—is demanded by God.

· No matter what our resources are—little or much—we are to give them to and use them for God. We are to serve God with all we are and have.

· The instrument of Shamgar’s assault was not made for the use to which it was put: the power lay in the arm that wielded the goad and the fearless will of the man who struck for his own birthright, freedom, —for Israel’s birthright, to be the servant of no other race.

· Undoubtedly it is well that, in any efforts made for the church or for society, men should consider how they are to act and should furnish themselves in the best manner for the work that is to be done. No outfit of knowledge, skill, experience is to be despised.[22]

o Romans 12:1-2 (NIV2011) 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

o Matthew 5:16 (NIV2011) 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

MAIN IDEA REVIEW:God's people descend into predictable patterns of sin. As the cycles of rebellion, restitution, repentance, restoration, and rest progress, three very different judges were raised up by God to accomplish his purposes for his people. God did not leave his covenant people without hope. Even when they regressed to wallowing in the mire of sin, God remained true to His promises.

Principles to consider soaking on:

· God calls all of his children to bring all that they are, in obedience, to all that he is.

· God works in a variety of ways through a variety of people; while he does not deviate from his truth, neither does he always comply with our expectations.

· God allows circumstances in our lives to test our spiritual resilience—when we surrender to sin, we ignore God at our peril; when we endure, by his grace we grow stronger!

· Surrender to sin may begin a downward spiral into a selfish, self-justifying, self-pitying, self-absorbed self-centeredness!

· Whenever we repent, God shows up….(He has always been there…we just begin to notice!)

Applications

· God will use you if you let him. Don't think your abilities are unusable by the God who made you to be who you are! Let him use you!

· Look around you; rather than being jealous, thank God for the abilities he has given other Christians who are being used by God.

· Remember: walk by faith and not by sight (see 2 Cor. 4:16-18).

· Choose your master! If you become a "slave" to Jesus (Rom. 6:15-23), you will experience the greatest freedom you have ever known.

A Trio of Talent

· This chapter offers us a triad of talent, a trio of very different people. Think about these three men.

o Othniel's main qualification was that he had a great godly heritage.

§ Othniel had ties to the greatest people in the history of Israel. He didn't coast on that heritage, as is often the temptation, but built upon it.

o Ehud's main qualification was that he was a southpaw.

§ He was an assassin and warrior of mythic proportions—a Robin Hood or a Rambo. He displayed several admirable qualities.

📷 First, he was careful. He laid the plan, made the sword, and apparently organized the resistance to await his signal. The entire plan had been meticulously crafted and timed down to the minute.

📷 Second, he was courageous. He risked his life to carry out his plan; he didn't know if he would come out alive—so many things could have gone wrong.

📷 Third, he was considerate of his companions. Rather than risk their lives, he got them to safety and then returned prepared to sacrifice his own life on a risky scheme.

📷 Most importantly, Ehud did trust the Lord—he called upon him for his victory. He was an imperfect servant who trusted in a perfect savior.

o Shamgar's main qualification was, perhaps, well... that he owned a stick!

§ The episode of Shamgar is a one-liner. Oxgoads were to be used on oxen—possibly a visual picture (like Samson's jawbone of a donkey) of derision over one's enemies.

§ Apparently Shamgar delivered Israel for a short period of time. It's not that the details are sketchy; the details are nonexistent! He was a man who, as far as we know, had a small window of greatness canonized in Scripture.

§ I imagine he was a Jew, but his father's name is the Canaanite goddess of sex and war, and his own name is not Jewish.

§ He was definitely not prepared at home to be a spiritual leader.

§ He was a peasant from a family that practiced paganism.

· Very likely these men would have had little in common; they had very different backgrounds and very different gifts.

· God used each of them to accomplish his purposes.

o Do we ever look at other believers and think because they don't look like us, don't talk like us, and don't dress like us, they don't have "the right stuff and therefore cannot be used by God?

o Or do we have fixed in our mind the kind of person God can use, and because we don't match our own ideal of what that should be, assume that somehow, we are exempt from God's call on our lives?

· Some people have impressive minds, others have impressive leadership abilities, others have musical gifts, others have extraordinary compassion, others have athletic prowess. Some are simply plain and ordinary, but maybe like Shamgar they own a stick!

· When God uses those of us whose talents are limited, he receives even greater glory because clearly any eternal impact is not explainable in terms of us!

· Besides, as Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). God is the one who trashed the tyrants and destroyed the dictators. The greatness of any human enemy is not to be compared with the greatness of God, who is greater than "the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

As we close, consider this prayer:

· Lord, you are unlimited in how you empower people to be used for your glory. There are many times when we look at other Christians whose gifts exceed ours, and we are envious, or whose abilities are less than ours, and we feel pride.

· We confess that we compare, and we keep score.

· Forgive us, Lord, and help us to take our eyes off of ourselves and off of others, and look only to Jesus, the centerpiece of our faith (Heb. 12:1-2).

o Through Christ our Lord. Amen. [23]

[1]Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2001). Judges, Ruth(pp. 48–49). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide. [2]Wilcock, M. (1992). The Message of Judges: Grace Abounding. (J. A. Motyer & D. Tidball, Eds.) (p. 45). England: Inter-Varsity Press. [3]Keller, T. (2013). Judges for You(p. 41). Purcellville, VA: The Good Book Company. [4]Wright, P. (1998). Joshua and judges. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference. [5]Block, D. I. (1999). Judges, Ruth(Vol. 6, pp. 171–172). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. [6]Wilcock, M. (1992). The Message of Judges: Grace Abounding. (J. A. Motyer & D. Tidball, Eds.) (p. 46). England: Inter-Varsity Press. [7]Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2001). Judges, Ruth(p. 53). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide. [8]Carr, A. (2015). Shamgar: The Obscure Savior (Judges 3:31). In The Sermon Notebook: Old Testament (p. 793). Lenoir, NC: Alan Carr. [9]Brown, C. A. (2012). Judges. In W. W. Gasque, R. L. Hubbard Jr., & R. K. Johnston (Eds.), Joshua, Judges, Ruth (p. 168). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. [10]Robinson, S. J. (2006). Opening up Judges(p. 22). Leominster: Day One Publications. [11]Lindsey, F. D. (1985). Judges. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 387). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. [12]Cundall, A. E., & Morris, L. (1968). Judges and Ruth: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 7, p. 81). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. [13]Millar, J. P. (1892). Judges(p. 185). New York; London; Toronto: Funk & Wagnalls Company. [14]Guzik, D. (2013). Judges(Jdg 3:31a). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. [15]Philips, W. G. (2004). Judges, Ruth. (M. Anders, Ed.) (Vol. 5, p. 65). Nashville, TN.: Holman Reference. [16]Jamieson, R. (n.d.). A Commentary, Critical, Experimental, and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments: Joshua–Esther (Vol. II, p. 78). London; Glasgow: William Collins, Sons, & Company, Limited. [17]Barnes, A. (1879). Notes on the Old Testament: Exodus to Ruth. (F. C. Cook & J. M. Fuller, Eds.) (p. 423). London: John Murray. [18]Grant, S., Lacey, C. T., & Flaniga, J. M. (2009). Joshua, Judges and Ruth. (W. S. Stevely & D. E. West, Eds.) (p. 305). John Ritchie. [19]Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume(p. 334). Peabody: Hendrickson. [20]Wiersbe, W. W. (1994). Be available(p. 31). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. [21]Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2001). Judges, Ruth(p.48- 56). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide. [22]Watson, R. A. (1903). The Book of Judges and Ruth. (W. Robertson Nicoll, Ed.) (p. 764). Hartford, CT: S.S. Scranton Co. [23]Philips, W. G. (2004). Judges, Ruth. (M. Anders, Ed.) (Vol. 5, pp. 65–69). Nashville, TN.: Holman Reference.