A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN
Judges 3:31
Commitment means: The state of being bound emotionally or intellectually to a course of action or to another person or persons. A pledge to do. An engagement by contract -American Heritage Dictionary
Shamgar’s name means "a stranger" and his father’s name, Anath means "an answer." In contrast to the lengthy reports concerning Ehud and Deborah, Shamgar’s story almost seems incidental. Shamgar was inserted in the account of the Judges, because he was too important to be omitted.
It is of importance to note that his act of deliverance is mentioned as occurring during the long eighty-year peace period that followed Ehud’s deliverance. The defeat of an enemy by Ehud, was not the defeat of all of Israel’s enemies.
Deborah’s song contains the only other reference to Shamgar. In it she sang: "In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted, and the travelers walked along the byways. Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until, I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel. They chose new gods; then there was war in the gates; not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel...." (Judges 5:6-8)
Travelers did not journey on the main highways for fear of being robbed or killed. The people abandoned their villages in an attempt to avoid being the victims of frequent Philistine raids.
Israel had no weapons with which to defend herself against her enemies. She was vulnerable on every front. No one liked the situation, but no one seemed able to do anything about it.
Our text reveals that Shamgar killed 600 men of the Philistines. It does not tell us if he did this over a period of time or in one encounter. While we aren’t given much detail concerning his heroic act, we are told that Shamgar’s weapon was an ox goad. This was nothing like the dagger crafted by Ehud. According to Wight and Freeman, an ox goad was an instrument used by the ploughman.
A goad is carried by the native ploughman today, and was also used in Bible times. It is a wooden rod varying in length from five to seven fee, with a sharp point at one end. With this the farmer can hurry up his slow-moving animals. (Wight, 1953, p. 171.)
Let’s apply now Shamgar’s commitment to our lives now aS Children of God.
I. A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN SERVES THE LORD CONFIDENTLY
After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who STRUCK DOWN…
David song of confidence in Ps, 27:3: Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Again in Ps 62:2 he said: “…He is my confidence; I shall not be greatly moved.”
“Confidence is the companion of success. All you need in this life is confidence and then success is sure." -Mark Twain
Where was Shamgar? What was the starting point for him? He was living in a time and place when his life and property, and the lives and property of his family and countrymen, were at the mercy of Philistines. He could have seen himself as helpless and hopeless but he didn’t.
Shamgar didn’t wait for perfect circumstances or perfect materials to start. He started where he was.
In the Book of Judges God placed His Spirit upon leaders in spite of their weaknesses. Beginning from a place of weakness is not necessarily a bad thing. It can actually be a good thing because it can lead to a God-thing!
God can do things in the lives of people who admit that they need Him that He cannot do in the lives of people who will not admit that they need Him.
Three times the Bible says, "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." (Proverbs 3:24; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5)
Shamgar did not wait until he had an army of thousands to lead in battle. You and I don’t have to wait until things get better before we advance. What you can do for God, do it now.
II. A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN SERVES THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY
Let’s read again our verse: who struck down SIX HUNDRED Philistines
Wholeheartedly means “with all your heart” – Ma. Anicia R. Gatorian
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 says, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to love him and serve the Lord your God with all thy heart…”
Defending himself against 600 Philistines with an ox goad is not really very easy job. Doesn’t matter if he did it all at once or on separate occasions. All that matters is that he did what he could. He did his best!
“If you’re going to succeed in life, you must work hard”
What if I failed? Do it again and again until you succeed! “The only man who never failed is the man who never tried” Failure is a part of a success. A part of life.
Someone has said, “If you want to double your success ration, double your failure rate”
You may not be able to do something better like others. You may not get your name in the headlines but if you will do what you can God will bless what you do.
A father was discussing with his son why the young man should do everything he can and should not quit. Think of all the great leaders of history who did their best. Abraham Lincoln, didn’t quit, Tomas Edison, didn’t quit, Douglas Mc Arthur, didn’t quit, Elmo Mc Limbo.. .Who is that father? Said the son. See you don’t remember him. He quit.
III. A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN SERVES THE LORD ABSOLUTELY
Who struck down six hundred Philistines with an OXGOAD.
Absolutely means (Thesaurus): Decisively, Unquestionably, unconditionally
An ox goad was a farm implement. Oxen were used to plow the fields, and to assure their cooperation the plowman used a long wooden rod, anywhere from five to ten feet in length and up to two inches in diameter, to push these powerful animals into working. This farmer’s tool became a lethal weapon in the hands of a courageous servant-leader. He defended his family, his countrymen and his property against the invading intruders with a farm implement.
An ox goad. Shamgar didn’t have a sword or spear. But he didn’t need one. We don’t need a lot of things we think we need in order to succeed. You may not have the monetary resources or the education you think it takes to succeed.
God approached Moses in the wilderness through the burning fiery bush and told him to return to Egypt, confront Pharaoh, and lead the Hebrews up from slavery. Moses immediately slinked into an excuse mode. "Who, me? I don’t have what it takes to do that!"So God says to Moses, "What is that in your hand?" (Exodus 4:2) Moses replied, "Well, Lord, all I have is this shepherd’s staff", and God says, "That will do. Throw it on the ground." When Moses obeyed, his staff turned into a snake. Then God told him to pick it up by the tail. He did and it became a staff again. This staff was the instrument of God to turn the Nile River into blood and bring other great plagues on Egypt. It was the tool God used to part the Red Sea and bring about other miracles in the wilderness.
That shepherd’s staff wasn’t much but if it is dedicated to God it became a mighty tool!
What is it that you already have that you can use to succeed? What has God already given you to help you realize your dreams?
The Lord has given everyone of us sufficient ability to attain success in life. There are many stories of people who succeed despite of their physical handicapped: Blind people, crippled, people with no arms, no feet, etc. Only people with no heads who did not succeed in life.
Illustration. An artist in Mexico lost his right hand while working on a statue. But he did not give up his work. He learned to carve with his left hand. His beautifully finished masterpiece was called ’In Spite Of’ that became well known throughout the history."
David used what he had - a sling. For the little boy at the feeding of the 5,000 it was five loaves and two fish. For Samson it was the jawbone of a donkey. God can use anything.
The major problem is workers in the Philippines nowadays have a personal slogan: “No support, no work”
They live by fix. They never involve in the ministry without sure support or someone to backup their financial needs.
I remember the children in World War II. At the close of the war, the Allied armies gathered up many hungry orphans. They were placed in camps where they were well-fed. Despite excellent care, they slept poorly. They seemed nervous and afraid. Finally, a psychologist came up with the solution. Each child was given a piece of bread to hold after he was put to bed. This particular piece of bread was just to be held—not eaten. The piece of bread produced wonderful results. The children went to bed knowing instinctively they would have food to eat the next day. That guarantee gave the children a restful and contented sleep.
A Committed Christian serves the Lord absolutely. They serve and live by faith in God.
“My Job is to do the best I can. The rest is in God’s hands.” –Martin Luther Jr
Conclusion
What can one person do? What can you do? In Judges 3, there’s only one verse about this man Shamgar. Was what he did significant? It was to God. It was to his family. It was to his nation. The Bible says, "He too saved Israel."
Brothers and sisters, Your life’s service is significant to God!
I see the need of a Committed Christians in our churches today.
Our commitment in the service of Lord in very important in building the body of Christ. And I challenge you to commit your life in the ministry: Confidently, wholeheartedly and absolutely for the glory of God.
Illustrations. In Yorkshire, England, during the early 1800s, two sons were born to a family named Taylor. The older one set out to make a name for himself by entering Parliament and gaining public prestige. But the younger son chose to give his life to Christ. He committed his life in serving God: Confidently, unconditionally and wholeheartedly. With that commitment, Hudson Taylor turned his face toward China and obscurity. As a result, he is known and honored on every continent as a faithful missionary and the founder of the China Inland Mission (now known as Overseas Missionary Fellowship). For the other son, however, there is no lasting monument. When you look in the encyclopedia to see what the other son has done, you find these words, “the brother of Hudson Taylor.”
If you want to succeed in life, commit your life in serving God.
To God be the glory!
