After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. And he too saved Israel, striking down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath.Shamgar's introduction follows the account of Ehud, a judge who delivered Israel from Moabite oppression. The transition suggests a period of continued unrest and the need for deliverance. Shamgar's name is of non-Israelite origin, possibly indicating a foreign or mixed heritage. "Son of Anath" may refer to a Canaanite goddess, suggesting cultural assimilation or influence. This highlights the diverse backgrounds of those God used to deliver Israel, emphasizing His sovereignty and the unexpected ways He raises leaders. And he too saved Israel,
Shamgar's role as a savior aligns him with the judges who preceded and followed him, each raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression. His deliverance is a testament to God's faithfulness in responding to the cries of His people, despite their recurring disobedience. This phrase underscores the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes the Book of Judges. striking down six hundred Philistines
The Philistines were a significant threat to Israel, often depicted as formidable enemies due to their military prowess and advanced weaponry. Shamgar's feat of killing six hundred Philistines is remarkable, suggesting divine empowerment. This act of deliverance prefigures later conflicts with the Philistines, notably during the time of Samson and David. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory over sin and death through Christ, who delivers His people from spiritual oppression. with an oxgoad.
An oxgoad is a long, pointed stick used to drive oxen, indicating Shamgar's humble status as a farmer. His use of an agricultural tool as a weapon highlights God's ability to use ordinary means and people for extraordinary purposes. This mirrors other biblical instances where God uses the weak to confound the strong, such as David with his sling or Moses with his staff. It points to the theme of divine empowerment and the sufficiency of God's provision in the face of overwhelming odds. Persons / Places / Events 1. ShamgarA judge of Israel who delivered the Israelites from the oppression of the Philistines. His name is of uncertain origin, but he is noted for his remarkable feat of killing six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. 2. Son of AnathThis designation may indicate Shamgar's lineage or possibly a connection to a place or deity named Anath. Anath was a Canaanite goddess, but the exact relationship here is unclear. 3. PhilistinesA group of people who were frequent adversaries of Israel. They occupied the coastal regions of Canaan and were known for their military prowess. 4. OxgoadA farming implement used to drive oxen, which Shamgar used as a weapon. This highlights the resourcefulness and divine empowerment in his victory. 5. IsraelThe nation that Shamgar saved from Philistine oppression, continuing the cycle of deliverance seen throughout the Book of Judges. Teaching Points God Uses Ordinary PeopleShamgar was not a trained soldier but a farmer. God can use anyone, regardless of their background, to accomplish His purposes. Resourcefulness in God's ServiceShamgar used what was available to him, an oxgoad, to achieve victory. We should be willing to use our skills and resources for God's work. Divine EmpowermentThe victory over six hundred Philistines was not by Shamgar's strength alone but by God's empowerment. Trust in God's power rather than our own abilities. Faith in ActionShamgar's actions demonstrate faith in God. Our faith should lead us to take bold actions for God's kingdom. Deliverance and SalvationJust as Shamgar delivered Israel, Jesus delivers us from sin. Reflect on the ultimate deliverance we have in Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Shamgar's account encourage you to use your unique skills and resources for God's purposes? 2. In what ways can you see God's empowerment in your life, similar to how He empowered Shamgar? 3. How does the cycle of sin and deliverance in Judges challenge you to remain faithful to God? 4. What are some "oxgoads" in your life—ordinary tools or skills—that God might use for His glory? 5. How does Shamgar's account of deliverance point to the ultimate deliverance we have in Jesus Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 2:16-19Provides context for the role of judges in Israel, showing the cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. 1 Samuel 17David's victory over Goliath parallels Shamgar's victory, emphasizing God's power to deliver through unlikely means. Exodus 14:13-14Illustrates God's deliverance of Israel through Moses, similar to how He used Shamgar. Hebrews 11:32-34Mentions judges like Shamgar as examples of faith, highlighting their reliance on God's strength. People Amalek, Amalekites, Ammonites, Amorites, Anath, Aram, Canaanites, Chushanrishathaim, Chushan-rishathaim, Eglon, Ehud, Gera, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Israelites, Jebusites, Kenaz, Moabites, Othniel, Perizzites, Shamgar, Sidonians, ZidoniansPlaces Canaan, Gilgal, Jordan River, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Mesopotamia, Moab, Mount Baal-hermon, SeirahTopics Anath, Death, Delivered, Goad, Hundred, Killed, Ox, Oxgoad, Ox-goad, Ox-stick, Philistines, Saved, Saveth, Saviour, Shamgar, Six, Slew, Smiteth, Smote, StruckDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 3:31 4648 goad
6634 deliverance Library Use what You Have
Few people really are and do their best. Nature has blessed a few with great talents and abilities. These persons often become proud, self-centered, and feel themselves to be superior, and for that reason many times they fail to make the proper use of their abilities. How often are they used in a bad or foolish way, so that what might be a blessing to the world fails to be such! There are many others who realize they do not possess these natural gifts. They look upon those who have them, and envy …
Charles Wesley Naylor—Heart TalksGifts and Talents.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."--Judges iii. 10. We now consider the Holy Spirit's work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit. The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will furnish Moses …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Whether Baptism Should Take Away the Penalties of Sin that Belong to this Life?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism should take away the penalties of sin that belong to this life. For as the Apostle says (Rom. 5:15), the gift of Christ is farther-reaching than the sin of Adam. But through Adam's sin, as the Apostle says (Rom. 5:12), "death entered into this world," and, consequently, all the other penalties of the present life. Much more, therefore, should man be freed from the penalties of the present life, by the gift of Christ which is received in Baptism. Objection 2: Further, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica "This Then is the Message which we have Heard of Him, and Declare unto You, that God is Light,"
1 John i. 5.--"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light," &c. The great design of the gospel is to make up the breach of man's joy, and open up the way to the fulness of it, and therefore it is the good news and glad tidings of great joy, the only best message that ever came to the world. Now it shows unto us the channel that this river of gladness and joy runs into, it discovers what is the way of the conveyance of it to the soul, and what are …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Whether the Old Law Enjoined Fitting Precepts Concerning Rulers?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law made unfitting precepts concerning rulers. Because, as the Philosopher says (Polit. iii, 4), "the ordering of the people depends mostly on the chief ruler." But the Law contains no precept relating to the institution of the chief ruler; and yet we find therein prescriptions concerning the inferior rulers: firstly (Ex. 18:21): "Provide out of all the people wise [Vulg.: 'able'] men," etc.; again (Num. 11:16): "Gather unto Me seventy men of the ancients of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Doctrine of Angels.
I. THEIR EXISTENCE. 1. THE TEACHING OF JESUS. 2. THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES. II. THEIR NATURE. 1. CREATED BEINGS. 2. SPIRITUAL BEINGS. 3. GREAT POWER AND MIGHT. 4. VARIOUS GRADES. 5. THE NUMBER OF ANGELS. III. THE FALL OF ANGELS. 1. TIME AND CAUSE. 2. THE WORK OF FALLEN ANGELS. 3. THE JUDGMENT OF FALLEN ANGELS. IV. THE WORK OF ANGELS. 1. THEIR HEAVENLY MINISTRY. 2. THEIR EARTHLY MINISTRY. a) In Relation to the Believer. b) In Relation to Christ's Second Coming. THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS. We are not …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 3:31 NIVJudges 3:31 NLTJudges 3:31 ESVJudges 3:31 NASBJudges 3:31 KJV
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