Sermon: Suggestions From The Life Of Shamgar

Sermon: Suggestions From The Life of Shamgar

Text: Judges 3:31 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.

Introduction: God used Judges to fill the leadership void after the death of Joshua. The first duty of a judge was to execute absolute justice, showing the same impartiality to rich and poor, to Jew and foreigner. He was forbidden to accept bribes or pervert judgment. Judges must not let themselves be swayed by popular opinion, or unduly favor the poor. During the time of the Judges. The nation was brought low and miserable by forsaking God. They would have experienced prosperity and happiness if they remained faithful to God. Their punishment was equal to their evil deeds. They served other gods, and God made them serve the nations round about them. They found out that God’s promises and his threatening’s were equally true. God could have in His justice have abandoned them, but he would not because he pitied them. The Lord raised up the judges and used them to save his people. In the days of the greatest distress of the church, there shall be some whom God will find or make fit to help it.

Who was Shamgar in the Bible? Shamgar is described as the son of Anath. Some scholars suggest he was the son of a certain Egyptian or Canaanite soldiers who served under the banner of the goddess of war, known as Anath. In that case, it would mean Shamgar was not an Israelite but used by God all the same to provide some deliverance to Israel. God can used unlikely and unknown people to fulfill his purpose and carry out his will. Shamgar was probably fighting for his home, his family, his freedom and his land. He was fighting for the right to be free, to make his own choices. Shamgar became a physical and spiritual powerhouse by the help of God. He was a fighter used in a mighty way by the Lord. Shamgar served as the third judge over Israel, after Othniel, the first judge and Ehud, the lefthand second judge. Under Ehud, Israel had rest for 80 years and went into a downhill spiral of sin and idolatry. Again they cried out for a deliverer.

Life is filled with transition and change. You and I can count on opposition. Almost every time you make a new declaration, embrace a new vision, or attempt a goal, you expect opposition. Especially, when you decide to follow Jesus, to live a godly life and fulfill the purpose of God, you can expect opposition. The hymn writer said it this way, “Time is filled with swift transition, and none on earth unmoved can stand, build your hope on things eternal and hold to God unchanging hands.” Adversity will come! Listen to some the quotes by writers on adversity,

• Adversities do not make the man either weak or strong, but they reveal what he is. -Faith Forsyth

• Gold is tried in fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. --Seneca

• Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm. –Syrus

Proverbs 24:10 “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”

Caroline Schoeder, "Some people change when they see the light, others when they feel the heat." I am convinced that more people change when they feel the heat than when they see the light.”

Shamgar fought with what he had. No matter how weak you think your weapons are, put them in the hand of God and watch Him do great things with them — like an oxgoad, Moses' rod, David's sling, even the lunch of a little boy. Shamgar left the results to God. Every time he fought, he put his life on the line. The man of our text decided he wanted a different kind of life. His name is Shamgar, son of Anath. He was a simple farmer who earned a reputation as the slayer of 600 Philistines with an ox goad. Every challenge God allows is an opportunity to grow. How we respond to the challenges of life determines our success or failure. Some people respond too negatively, they are defeated before they start. Others spend their time fighting the wrong enemy, as king Saul spent his time fighting against David. Still others become paralyzed by fear as the children of Israel before the Promised Land. Some embraced the challenge as David did with Goliath and became Israel’s favorite son. Some challenges may be avoided or delay, while others must be faced head on. Whenever you make a decision to live for God and receive everything God has for you, Satan will come against you. How do you respond when it seems like everything is standing in your way?