Shamgar: Mean Instruments

Shamgar the son of Anath, slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad. — Judges iii. 31.

Shamgar was the third judge in Israel. He was at the beginning a labouring man a tiller of the ground and probably on account of the exploit recorded of him in the text he was raised to dignity. According to the song of Deborah life was very insecure at that time. She says — In the days of Shamgar the son of Anathj the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways (Judges v. 6.) The ox-goad may be best described by one who has seen it. ‘’ It was observable that in ploughing they used goads of an extraordinary size; upon measuring several I found them about eight feet long, and at the bigger end six inches in circumference. They were armed at the lesser end with a sharp pricMe for driving the oxen,

K and at the other end with a small spad.e or paddle of iron, strong and massy, for cleansing the plough from the clay which encumbers it in working.’^ Shamgar was working in the field with one of those goads when six hundred Philistines made their appearance, and so vigorously did he wield it that not a man of the whole crowd escaped with his life.

Note first, in gathering up the lessons of the in cident, how absurd it is for any man to blame his TOOLS FOR BAD WORK. Shamgar used an ox-goad; Samson wielded the jawbone of an ass; David had but a sling and stone. Sometimes we think what wonders Ave could do if we had better instruments. The bad writer blames his pen. The unskilful carver grumbles at his knife. The unsuccessful preacher says that he could get a congregation if the pew doors were half an inch lower, or if the organ had another stop added. No! Again and again, No! Look at yourself more and at your tools less. What about your spirit? your intelligence? your devotedness? your enthusiasm?

Note secondly, how important it is that men should USE those instruments which they can handle most SKILFULLY. Shamgar knew how to use the ox- goad, and David knew how to use the sling and stone. Other instruments may be far heavier, keener, and likelier altogether, but if we are not accustomed to them, whyshould we run the risk of a failure? When some natural orators try to” talk finely, they lose all their ease and power.

Note thirdly, how rooLiSH it would be to ridicule

THE INSTRUMENT WHEN THE RESULTS ARE SO OBVIOUSLY

good. Look at the six hundred dead men! Look at the slain giant! Look at the prostrate walls of Jericho! The rule applies to every department of life. It applies to preaching. It applies to foreign missions. It applies to every Christian effort.

Note fourthly, how victories are sometimes won in

THE FACE OF THE GREATEST IMPROBABILITIES. One man

against six hundred! Some men would have succumbed under the mere pressure of numbers, but Shamgar fought the crowd. This is a lesson to all good men who fight for liberty and truth. Not by might, nor by power, but my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. ■’^ “All this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lords and he will give you into our hands.^’ He who fights for the right has God upon his side.” If God be for us who can be against us? ‘’

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Do not let us blame men for working with instruments that have not been oflficially or technically approved. The one great object is to do good. What meaner instrument can there be than the Cross? Hath it not pleased God by “the foolishness of preaching ‘^ to save them that believe? Were not Peter and John accounted” unlearned men ^^? Are not the highest things hidden from the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes? Such is the way of God that no flesh should glory in his presence!