Bible study

Who was Shamgar the Judge?

/ sweetpeacardco

Who was Shamgar the Judge?

As we read through Judges we came across a number of famous individuals with well-known stories such as Samson and Gideon. But right near the beginning of the book, which is overall descriptive of “the dark ages” of early Israelite history, we find this passing reference:

After him [Ehud] was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an oxgoad, and he also saved Israel. (Judges 3:31 ESV)

Who on earth was Shamgar? Why was he remembered? Why does he receive such sparse attention?

Let’s begin with what we know followed by what he might teach us.

Shamgar’s name in Hebrew likely means “sword.” He was the son of a man (or perhaps of a family group) named Anath meaning “answer” [i.e. an answer to prayer]. Taken together these provide a fitting name that links to his role, as a deliverer and judge (there are also possible overtones in his name to the Canaanite culture, which may indicate how Canaanized the Israelites had become).

He is remembered for killing 600 Philistines. The Philistines consisted of a nation along the Mediterranean coast who had arrived in Canaan about the same time as Israel and represented a continual military threat until they were subdued by King David. In an impressive feat Shamgar was enabled by the LORD to strike down 600 Philistines using only a primitive weapon known as an oxgoad.

oxgoad

An oxgoad, or simply a goad, is used with oxen as a prodding tool. Historic examples include those pointed with metal (or not) and also variants that had an additional point which curved backwards developed to maximize the drivers ability to poke the oxen.

Using only this everyday agricultural tool as a weapon, in one battle or perhaps as a tally of all of his encounters, he struck down 600 Philistines and thus provided a measure of deliverance for Israel (though the nature and extent of that deliverance is not presented).

The only other verse that adds information to this story comes in the song of Deborah who tells us that:

In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned, and travellers kept to the byways. (Judges 5:6 ESV)

Life as Israel had known it, a life of peace and prosperity under the rule of and faithfulness to the LORD, had ceased. In its place had come national insecurity and distress.

What then are we meant to take away from these two verses about Shamgar? There are several possibilities but let me elaborate on just one of them.[i] Shamgar obviously did something very great in Israel to the extent that he was remembered as he was. The modest account we are left with struck me as a great reminder that our motivation to serve the LORD should not be to receive a lengthy entry into the annals of the faith but rather to please the LORD, irregardless of whether such service is acknowledged publically or not.

Jesus said as much in Matthew 6:5-6 (ESV):

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And similarly a few verses on in Matthew 6:16-18 (ESV) He said again:

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Believers such as these are truly “unknown, and yet well known…poor, yet making many rich (1 Cor 6:9).

The Lord uses many means, some secret and some public, to bring about his salvation. To some He affords the honour of their deeds being publically acknowledged, while to others He grants the even greater blessing of acts of service being known only to Him in secret.

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris

[i] Some others might include that Shamgar used what was available to him to serve the LORD and this was sufficient. It also demonstrates how the LORD in His providence uses ordinary people (a farmer like Shamgar) as means to bring about extraordinary works of salvation.

Radically, Relevant, Reliable and Refreshing Reading

/ sweetpeacardco

Where can I find that you might ask in disbelief?

The Bible!

What?! Those adjectives do not appear to reflect how I view that old book.

Well, maybe your old view isn’t based on a full enough understanding (btw- have you ever seriously read that book you claim is old, irrelevant, less than trustworthy and dull?). I have based my life upon it, and never once has it failed or faltered. That is because God, in His Word, promises as much. He tells us in Proverbs 30:5a- Every word of God proves true!

I was listening in on a conversation recently between two individuals who were discussing Christian things and I presume (and hope) were Christians. The one was giving the other, who was seeking advice on subject X, wisdom. However, his wisdom amounted to nothing more than empty human thoughts that were interesting, but less than helpful for this man who really just needed the truth. I was in agony within myself as this man was told a load of nonsense. Now I am not against hearty and helpful knowledge if it is in accordance with God’s Word and builds upon the firm foundation of the truth. I am not against recommending Christian books that elaborate upon important topics, so long as they find their centre in Scripture. What this man was being encouraged to examine was not that kind of wisdom (compare Prov 3:1-8). Towards the end of their conversation I decided to politely intervene. It just so happened that the “advisor” was heading off at this point anyway. In response to his initial query I passed along, not a huge treatise for him to digest, but one simple Bible verse and explained in the context of his question how it applied. He was amazed! It was true wisdom, pure and very simple (or at least straightforward). He immediately recognized how much more sense that one Bible verse made and was (sadly) somewhat amazed that I had just pulled it out from my memory. You mean that is in the Bible, he seemed to insinuate. Yes, it is in the Bible, and there is plenty more practical and spiritual wisdom where that came from, a vast treasury. Our conversation continued, much as it had before, onto another point he had raised. Again, I responded with a simple Biblical truth. He was amazed, “I cannot believe the Bible says that, this makes so much sense!” Lesson? Read your Bible and become acquainted with its timeless truths. In fact, as you read other books you should always be reading the Bible, how else will you be able to evaluate them and discern fact from fiction?

Here are some implications from Prov 30:5:

  • The God of the Bible can be trusted.
  • Because He speaks through His Word we can always trust what it says.
  • Because the Bible is always trustworthy we do not have to waste time searching for answers elsewhere. It is sufficient for us.
  • We can be glad of this, build our life upon its truths, and see the fruit of that truth at work in our lives (and this in turn leads other people to marvel at the wisdom of God and of His generousity in providing it).

Thank be to God for His Word!

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris

Real Christianity

/ sweetpeacardco

Over the last three months we have been blessed at the chapel to have worked our RCway through a Christian classic, written over 200 years ago, and have discovered how timeless and pertinent its message is for us today. Beginning in June roughly 25 regulars along with those who read along at home, journeyed through Real Christianity by William Wilberforce. We began with two movie nights watching the 2006 film Amazing Grace so as to have a better idea of this man and his times. Pastor Chris then led us through the book with accompanying questions and related Bible passages to complement and aid our discussion. We had many profitable and meaningful gatherings and refreshing times of prayer as we were all challenged by this book. Wilberforce, an evangelical Christian, sought to end the slave trade and reform the morals and values of society but realized he could not accomplish this aim until the nations hearts had first been rendered by the Gospel. In this classic book he investigates the differences between authentic Christianity and cultural Christianity, challenging cultural Christians to not simply believe but have faith in and be transformed by the Gospel, and calling on true believers to new heights of devotion and service to their Lord. Last night we ended our series with elderberry pie, but more importantly a group time of sharing where we could all share some of the highlights of what we had learned. Here are some of them. This study helped…

  • Me see with clarity the difference between authentic and cultural Christianity;
  • That what he said was indeed timeless and applies as much today as when he wrote it;
  • Spur me on in my walk with Jesus;
  • To see that I have to ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to address my shortcomings as a Christian;
  • Me to re-evaluate my priorities, Jesus is not as high a priority in my life as I had thought and He must be not only my Savior but my Lord;
  • Challenge me to use our influence in society better for the sake of advancing the Kingdom of God;
  • Me to strive to be a greater light in my non-Christian workplace;
  • Me renew a heart to share the Gospel with nominal Christians so our/their joy may be complete;
  • Have a greater appreciation of the importance of Holy Scripture in the life of the believer;
  • Us see the necessity of prayer, both individual and corporate, to live the Christian life and change society;
  • Me have a greater hunger for God’s word;
  • Me appreciate and trust the power of God’s word to transform;
  • Me be reminded how much we really need the Lord in all things;
  • Remind me of the need to do good and to love as a Christian;
  • Emphasize that salvation is by grace and not works of any kind;
  • Me see the value in Christian fellowship, reflection and prayer;
  • Demonstrate that beliefs affect our behaviour. Faulty behaviour in society and politics arises because of false beliefs;
  • Us see that to be truly patriotic is to seek our nation’s welfare and its welfare comes from knowing God and walking in His ways. There is great national and political importance in the future of our nation whether we become Christian again or not;
  • Me very much see that Christianity is not about belief or simply going to Church but must be a personal relationship with Jesus;
  • Me see that, while we may disagree with other Christians on secondary matters, we must strive with those with whom we have primary Gospel agreement to effect change upon our country.
  • …many more to be sure.

If you were not able to or would like to study this book yourself, then please do not hesitate to ask me for the questions and order yourself a copy today. Next week we return to our study of the Gospel of John.

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris