“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.”
Historical Context:The book of Judges is set in a period of Israel’s history after their entry into the Promised Land. It was a time of cycles, where the Israelites would fall into idolatry and disobedience, leading to oppression by their enemies, and then cry out to God for deliverance. The judges were raised up by God to rescue the Israelites from their oppressors.
Shamgar’s Identity:Shamgar is mentioned briefly in the book of Judges. He is described as the son of Anath, but we have limited information about him. His story is found in Judges 3:31, and he is only mentioned once in the entire Bible.
Shamgar’s Exploit:The verse tells us that Shamgar fought against the Philistines, a longstanding enemy of Israel. Using an ox goad, which was a long pointed stick used for prodding oxen, Shamgar single-handedly killed six hundred Philistines. His remarkable feat demonstrated his bravery and his commitment to defending the people of Israel against their enemies.
Deliverance of Israel:The verse concludes by stating that Shamgar’s act of valor resulted in the deliverance of Israel. The Philistines’ power and oppression were broken, and the Israelites experienced a period of freedom and relief from their enemies.
Lessons and Application:While Shamgar’s story is short and lacks extensive details, it conveys a few important lessons:
- Faithfulness and Obedience:Shamgar’s act of bravery reveals his commitment to defending his people. It reminds us of the importance of faithfulness to God’s calling and obedience to His commands. Shamgar’s actions serve as an example of how an individual, with God’s help, can make a significant impact in the midst of challenging circumstances.
- God’s Power and Deliverance:Shamgar’s victory over six hundred Philistines with a simple ox goad demonstrates the power of God to accomplish extraordinary feats through ordinary means. It reminds us that God is not limited by human weakness or the lack of conventional weaponry. When we trust in Him and act in faith, God can bring about deliverance and victory in unexpected ways.
- God’s Provision of Deliverers:The mention of Shamgar as a judge in Israel highlights God’s faithfulness in raising up individuals to rescue His people from oppression. Throughout the book of Judges, we see a pattern of God choosing and empowering judges to lead and deliver Israel. This pattern points forward to the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ, who would come to rescue humanity from sin and provide eternal salvation.
In summary, Judges 3:31 recounts the heroic act of Shamgar, who fought against the Philistines and delivered Israel from their oppression. Though his story is brief, it serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness, God’s power, and His provision of deliverers for His people.
