VI. ISRAEL IN ANARCHY AND CIVIL STRIFE:

A. Chronological considerations:

1. After Moab was subdued by the hand of Ehud, Judges 3-30 says I the land had rest fourscore (80) years " Then Judges 4.1 says, "The children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead. Just how long Ehud lived is still in question. He was already grown and probably a distinguished Jewish leader when he slew Eglon. Since Jewish men were not considered grown and able to serve as soldiers prior to their 20th birthday, it seems reasonable to believe Ehud was past 20, and possibly much older by the time he slew Ehud. Eighty years added to that age would give him a lifetime of 100 years or more, which is doubtful considering normal ages at that time.

The Bible does not say Ehud lived the entire 80 years mentioned in Judges 3:30. I believe he died well before the end of this 80 year period. When he died, the people of Israel grew more and, more evil. Although the Lord's justice against evildoers is not always instantaneous, it is possible that Israel did evil several years before God delivered them into the hand of Jabin, King of Canaan. Many chronological scholars place the events of Judges 17-21 in this time frame.

2. It is also a fact that the Philistines were constant enemies of the Israelites. Even during times when they were in no position to conquer Israel, there was tension and strife. The Philistines would often conduct border raids and general acts of aggression against Israel. The Philistines are mentioned at the time of Shamgar, Judges 3:31, after the time of Jair, Judges 10:6-7 prior to Samson, Judges 13:1 and during the days of Samson, Judges 13:24-16:31.

3. It appears that at some point during these 80 years of relative peace, possibly even before the death of Ehud, the Philistines attempted to conquer Israel, which they were unable to do because of Shamgar. Judges 3:31 says, "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, "An oxgoad, the weapon used by Shamgar to defeat the Philistines, was a sharp, pointed stick used to urge on an animal. An oxgoad was usually about 8 feet long, and had a sharp metal tip on one end so it could be used as a spear in warfare. The other end had a blade like a chisel for use in cleaning a plow. Shamgar means "stranger" and is a foreshadow of the believers whom I Pet. 2:11 calls "strangers and pilgrims" The Philistines are people who are in the land, and who would take over and rule God's people. These Philistines are foreshadows of "mainline" but false religion. They were in the land and respectable, yet false. The oxgoad, like the daggar, is a foreshadow of God's word. It was pointed, like the word of God. Remember Heb. 4:12 which speaks of its piercing power. It could be wielded as a battering weapon. Likewise, God's word as a hammer or battering weapon can break down stony hearts and false religious concepts. God asked in Jer. 23:29 "Is not my word like as afire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? " and, listen to II Cor. 10:4-5 "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. but mighty through God to the Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Not only is it beautiful to see the child of God wielding the weapon of God against false religion and winning a great victory in the process; it is also edifying to see God using such ordinary means to achieve such a great victory. An ordinary man using an ordinary too] to win such a profound victory is a testimonial to the power of God. 1 Cor. 1:27 says, "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.

When a million-man Ethiopian army invaded Judah, King Asa cried unto the Lord His God and said, "Lord. it is nothing with thee to help whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God for Me rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude," II Chron. 14:11. Later, the Moabites and the Ammonites came in war against Judah, and King Jehoshaphat "stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house a the Lord. before the new court. And said, 0 Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in t hand is there riot power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?" II Chron :5-6. And the Lord answered him in II Chron. 20:15, "Lie not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not your but God's." The object lesson Of God with Moses shepherd"s rod is a vivid illustration of the fact that the power for victory is in the Lord; but also of the fact that when God is in a matter, even the feeblest of God's servants is a giant killer. This day, a child of God armed with the word of God and submitted to the power of God is an unconquerable victor against the enemies of truth. Rom 8:31-37 declares, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, in who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or farnine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." How! Only by the power of God, for as Phil, 2:13, says, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

Believer, don't underestimate what God can use you To do. In His power and armed with His word, you too can be a Shamgar.

Note too that Shamgar's victory over 600 Philistines appears to have been a personal, private victory. Othniel and Ehud had both rallied the men of Israel together as they delivered Israel. No word is mentioned that Shamgar had any help. Yet, his victory was good for all Israel. Judges 3:31 says, "he also delivered Israel. "Just one child of God quietly going about his business of serving God can be a great benefit and victory for all of God's people. There are occasions, as the first two deliverances demonstrate, where many of God's people getting together and fighting as a unit is the answer. Although, as Shamgar illustrates, there are other times when believers must fight alone. But. just because you are alone, don't think great victories can't be won. They can be. It is good when your brethren are standing with you. But, you can win when they aren't. Believer, just you armed with God's word, and under the control and power of God, are more than a match for any situation into which God places you. Don't ever forget that and get "cold feet" when you are alone, for you are never really alone when you are operating in the power of God.

 

QUESTIONS ON "ONE MAN WITH AN OXGOAD:

1. How long did the land have rest after Ehud's Moabite victory?

2. Explain why you believe Ehud did or did not live 80 years after the Moabite victory.

3. Explain Israel's spiritual life after Ehud's victory.

4. Locate the land of the Philistines on your map.

5. How were the Philistines constant enemies of Israel?

6. Describe an Oxgoad.

7. What does the name Shamgar mean?

8. of whom is Shamgar a foreshadow?

9. Who do the Philistines foreshadow?

10. What does Shamgar's oxgoad foreshadow?

11. What does Shamgar wielding the oxgoad against the Philistines illustrate?

12. What is the spiritual point of the fact that Shamgar was a very ordinary man, using a very ordinary tool?

13. Does the size and strength of the enemy determine whether or not a Christian warrior wins? If not, what is the determining factor?

14. How do we know that King Asa recognized this truth?

15. How did God emphasize this truth to King Jehoshaphat?

16. Explain God's object lesson illustration of this truth to Moses from Ex. 4.

17. What does this truth mean to a current day believer?

18. What does the fact that Shamgar's victory was private and personal say to every believer?

19. Why do you suppose that out of the first 3 deliverances in Judges, two were joint efforts by the men of Israel, and one was an individual effort?

20. Why is no believer ever alone when functioning in the power of God?