Use Your Sword

Last Sunday, Pastor told us of Shamgar.  Now, I've read the bible from cover to cover more than once, but somehow Shamgar didn't stick in my consciousness.

Judges 3:31 (NKJV)

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.

He killed 600 men.  With. An. Oxgoad.  In other words, with a pointy stick.

Image:  bibledude.net

Now Pastor's point was that Shamgar was ready.  He was a farmer, probably in the field, with an oxgoad in his hand when he was attacked by 600 of the enemy.  Did he turn tail and run?  No, he relied upon God and stayed and fought using what was available.  His pointy stick. 

Too bad there is no video of the conflict.  Shamgar had to be better than any kung fu fighter I've ever seen in movies. 600 warriors coming at him, and he. Killed. Them. All.

Of course, God had to enable him. Mulling this over, I realized that we, too, can be like Shamgar.

We can be working in our field (whatever our calling happens to be), ready at a moment's notice to protect and deliver God's people. Instead of an oxgoad; however, our weapon will be the Sword.  The sword of the spirit.

God has provided spiritual armor for His people.

Ephesians 6:14-18 (NKJV)

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 

Notice all the armor is defensive weapons - except one - the Sword.  How can the Word be like a Sword?

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word can pierce sharper than an oxgoad!

In today's world, our enemy may not be Philistines, but spiritual enemies.  Those that hate God's people and what they stand for. Spiritual forces that are seeking who they may devour.

By using God's Word, we can prick our enemy just as Shamgar did with an oxgoad.


Man up and put on your armor.  Be ready and willing to use your Sword.

This post was written in community for On Your Heart Tuesdays.  Visit Shanda at A Pause On The Path to see what is on other hearts today.