Shamgar is one of the lesser-known judges of Israel, yet his account is remarkable. His name appears in only two brief verses in the Book of Judges, yet in that short mention, we see a powerful example of God using an ordinary man with an ordinary tool to accomplish extraordinary things.
“After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel.” (Judges 3:31)
“In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted, and the travelers walked along the byways.” (Judges 5:6)
These two verses give us a glimpse into the chaos of Shamgar’s time and the heroic act he performed.
What Was an Oxgoad?
An oxgoad was a long wooden stick, typically 6 to 8 feet long, with a sharp metal tip on one end for prodding oxen while plowing. The other end was sometimes shaped into a chisel or blade for scraping dirt off the plow. It was not a weapon, yet Shamgar used it as one, demonstrating his resourcefulness and God’s power working through him.
What Happened?
Israel was under Philistine oppression, and the people were afraid to travel on the main roads, as indicated in Judges 5:6. The Philistines were notorious for their iron weapons and military dominance, making them formidable enemies.
Shamgar, armed only with an oxgoad, killed six hundred Philistines and delivered Israel. We do not know the exact details—whether this was a single battle or over time—but the result was clear: God used Shamgar as a deliverer, even though he had no sword, no army, and no formal title as a military leader.
What Can We Learn from Shamgar?
God Can Use Anyone, Even the Ordinary and Overlooked
Shamgar was not a king, prophet, or priest—he was a simple farmer. Yet God empowered him to save Israel. You don’t have to be famous or have great resources for God to use you. Shamgar had only an oxgoad, yet God worked through it.
Stand Against the Enemy with Courage
The Philistines were a strong and well-armed enemy, yet Shamgar stood against them. In spiritual warfare, we are often outnumbered and outmatched in human strength, but victory comes from God. Like Shamgar, we are called to stand firm and fight with what God has given us.
Deliverance Comes in Unexpected Ways
Israel’s deliverance didn’t come through a great army—it came through one faithful man with an oxgoad. God often delivers His people in ways that confound human logic. He used Shamgar, Gideon with 300 men, and David against Goliath to prove that victory comes from Him, not from human strength.
My Final Thoughts
Shamgar teaches us that God uses ordinary people with ordinary tools to do extraordinary things. If we are faithful with what we have, trust in Him, and stand against the enemy, He will bring the victory. You may not have an oxgoad, but whatever is in your hand—your time, talents, or resources—can be used for God’s glory.
Will you be like Shamgar and trust God with what He has given you?
