The providence of God in the account of Ehud is clearly presented throughout. Ehud was called by God to deliver His people. Perhaps you could see the providence of God in the deception of Eglon’s guards, in Ehud’s escape and in the defeat of the Moabite Army? All of this goes to say we serve a great God. It is perhaps also noteworthy to realize the Bible says, “And after him was Shamgar” (Jud 3.31). Shamgar followed the example of Ehud in not having much to work with, but because God was on his side he was able to accomplish great things.
Only one verse in our Bible is dedicated to Shamgar at this juncture. We learn a little more of his history from the song Deborah sings, “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways” (Jud 5.6). Shamgar lived in a time when the enemies of Israel were so numerous in the land the Israelites could not even travel openly.
While we are not told how Shamgar was called, we are told he was the son of Anath, which was the name of a Canaanite goddess of war. His name likely meant “son of battle” or “great warrior.” We are also given information on the weapon he used to slay six hundred of God’s enemies, the Philistines. An ox goad was a stick some six to eight feet long, with a shovel type apparatus on one end to clean out the dirt stuck on the plows and on the other end a sharp metal point with which to prod the oxen.
Are you kidding, a shovel and a little pointer to kill six hundred Philistines?? Shamgar was given a task by God. He did not complain about lack of resources, lack of fire power, lack of assistance, no he simply took the tool he had and followed the command of God and delivered God’s people. What may seem small in the hands of one, can become mighty in the hands of another who is working with a holy zealousness directed for and toward God. Shamgar took a simple farmer’s tool and used it for the glory of God. May we take the tools and talents God gives us and be like Shamgar, always giving God the glory!