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Lessons from Shamgar

In Judges Chapter 3, we read of the third judge of Israel — Shamgar. We only get one verse about an often-overlooked judge of Israel: "After [Ehud] was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an ox goad, and he also saved Israel." Judges 3:31

Shamgar had one man-made weapon, an ox goad (some commentaries describe as a wooden stick with a curved blade). Yet he killed 600 people … and saved Israel, as if it was no big deal. The judge with the shortest amount of verses accomplished great things, even though he seemingly didn't have much. He did what he could with what he had.

Have we done as much as we can with what God has given us? No matter how much God has given you, everybody can do something for God. We have many examples of people doing "small" things for the kingdom of God. Remember the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her hair and tears (Luke 7:44)? Or what about the woman who gave two coins into the offering box (Luke 12:42)? Even God commended the work that was done on the temple, although they were small improvements (Zech. 4:10).

The point is this: there are no small people in God's kingdom. Let us resolve to do what you can with what God has given us!