3.3. GOD'S MAN SHAMGAR (Judges 3:31)

This man who judged Israel was famous for his victory over the Philistines.

Concerning Shamgar: He is mentioned here alone. Elliott says his name means "name of a stranger". Certainly God uses the unknown - and many are their number.

Ephesians 2:12"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:" (KJV)

Without Christ, God could never have used us - and we had no hope of being used. Now in Christ, we strangers are usable. It is grace that has put us into service (Ephesians 3:7).

Shamgar was indeed an unusual man who wielded an unusual weapon "with an oxgoad" (Judges 3:31 KJV).

His oxgoad "might have been as long as eight feet with a spoke on one end and a chisel-shaped blade on the other." Ryrie

The use of ox goads is alluded to in Acts 9:5 (NKJV): "It is hard for you to kick against the goads." The Philistines found the instrument that checked and guided the ox became an instrument of death to them. Shamgar was disarmed of normal military weapons - with the anointing, the ordinary tools of trade became weapons of offense. The believer is armed and dangerous to the enemy. Even the fruit of the Spirit is destructive to the world, the flesh and the devil (Galatians 5:22-23 ).

Judges 3:31 "which slew of the Philistines six hundred men" (KJV)

He brought terror to those who terrorised the highways (Judges 5:6 ).

1 John 5:4 "...and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (KJV)

Faith in the enthroned Christ - faith that experiences the power of God - faith that works to remove everything alien to Christ, in life and conduct - faith victorious - shapes for God's use.

Israel again did evil:

Judges 4:1-2 "And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera,..." (KJV)

This oppression went on for 20 years (Judges 4:3).

Deborah means "bee". She is named a prophetess (Judges 4:4 ), like Miriam (Exodus 15:20 ), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14 ), Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14 ) and Anna (Luke 2:36 ). God anoints women in prophetic ministry. This woman provided the sweetness (bee) of God's presence at a bitter time. She is also named judge - the only female ruler of Israel in their Biblical history. Deborah lived close to God, and earned the trust of the people to arbitrate in their disputes (Judges 4:5 ).

Revealed Barak's participation in deliverance (Judges 4 :6-9 ). Barak is said by Ellicott to mean "lightning". His fame was known to Deborah, but sending for him was in obedience to the Lord. Military details revealed prophetically included where to deploy troops, how many, and from what tribes of Israel (Judges 4:6 ), and what Sisera would do - so that victory would be given (Judges 4:7 ). Detailed words of knowledge and wisdom can be the order of the day in our spiritual warfare (1 Corinthians 12:8 ).

Barak insisted on Deborah going with him to the fight.

Judges 4:8 "And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go." (KJV)

A man of God is not so full of himself that he cannot recognise the gifting of others, and that of spiritual women. Barak needed Deborah's prophetic insight and the reassuring presence of this woman of faith. Deborah promised to accompany Barak and prophesied that the honour of Sisera's destruction would go to a woman. (Judges 4:9 ).

"According to Judges 5:21, the Lord sent rain which flooded the stream and valley, neutralizing the chariots. A similar thing happened when Napoleon defeated the turks in the same place in A.D. 1799." Ryrie

(Read the triumph granted God's pair in Judges 4:12-16 ).

The execution of Sisera by the hand of Jael (Judges 4:17-22 ). It would seem that Sisera violated the true bedouin hospitality. Having been invited into the tent (Judges 4:18, 20 ), he went through into her tent (Judges 4:22 ) risking the life of the woman at her husband's hand, as Sisera's presence in her tent would suggest a wrong relationship. The husband could have killed both of them even by law (Deuteronomy 22:22 ). Jael's own life and character could have been at stake, that victorious day she killed Sisera..

God's people today need to heed the warning of :

1 Thessalonians 5:22 "Abstain from every form of evil." (NKJV)

The victory is ascribed to God:

Judges 4:23 "So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel." (KJV)

There is no greater way to give glory to God than by singing in the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 14:15 ). The poetic version of God's victory would retain its freshness in detail for all coming generations. The full song (Judges 5:2-31 ) rewards those who study it - and encourages those who would be used in prophetic song, bringing edification, exhortation and comfort by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:3 ).

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Can you relate to God's Shamgar, unknown, unusual and undefeated? (Judges 3:31 ).
2. What did Israel do again after Ehud's death? How long did the oppression last? (Judges 4:1-3; 3:30 ).
3. What other women can you recall who, like Deborah, were prophetesses? (Judges 4:4 ).
4. What kind of detailed revelation did Deborah receive? (Judges 4:6-9 ). Do you expect God to give you prophetic insight and understanding to conduct spiritual warfare?
5. In which way do you see Barak as an example for today's leadership? (Judges 4:8 ).
6. Did the destruction of Sisera fulfill prophecy? (Judges 4:9 ). Were Jael's life and character at stake had she not killed Sisera? (Judges 4:22 ).
7. Do you believe that singing in the Spirit is a wonderful way to give glory to God? (Judges 5:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:15 ).