A Most Unusual Weapon

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest eighty years. After him came Shamgar son of Anath, who killed six hundred of the Philistines with an oxgoad. He too delivered Israel. Judges 3:30-31 NRSV

An oxgoad is a big stick that you use to get your oxen to move. In other words, you are "goading" your cattle to plow and pull. I think it might have been sharp or heavy or both.

But the oxgoad is a farm implement. It is not a weapon.

The Bible tells us something about turning swords into plowshares but here is the exact opposite: turning farming tools into mighty weapons!

Obviously, God has got to be behind this as much as we don't like to think about God as a killer.

But how many people could a normal person kill with a big stick? One? Three? A dozen?

We are told he killed 600!! This is superhero status. And his efforts saved Israel from the Philistines. They probably tried to take advantage after the Moabites were defeated. God was making sure Israel stayed safe. Even if God had to use a simple farmer and an everyday object.

God, we keep looking for big miracles to save us and give us hope. Help us to see when you use simple things for superhero purposes. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Question for the day: Will you allow God to use your everyday work implements to do great things? What do you think God will use?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims

Unexpected Means of Salvation

But when the Israelites cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. Judges 3: 15 NRSV

Let's get a realistic picture of these people in the book of judges. These judges are not the best-looking, most popular and respected people. They will not be following the rules. They will be quite devious and tricky. They will be attempting things with labels that say: "Do not try these things at home." In fact, it soon will become evident that these judges really are not the nicest people. You will wonder what God saw in them in the first place. Then you will be in awe that these victories even happened.

It will eventually become obvious that this is all about God not the judges.

God seems to be trying to get the Israelites to be impressed by God's power and might. But they really don't seem to get it because they keep on back-sliding.

Makes me wonder about things that are happening in our lives right now. Is God at work and we don't see it because it isn't being done through celebrities? Is God making wondrous things happen in the world outside of the church and we are blind to it? Does God still use tricksters and devious means to save us?

God, we are often crying out to you. Are you using the least-obvious means to save us? Give us eyes to see so that we will turn and worship you! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Question of the day: Looking back on the last month, where do you see God at work using unexpected means?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims