An oxgoad is an agricultural tool used to prod oxen while plowing fields. It is mentioned several times in the Bible, both literally and metaphorically. Here is an overview of the oxgoad in the biblical context:
Literal Mentions of the Oxgoad
The oxgoad is literally referenced as a tool used in agricultural work:
– Judges 3:31 mentions Shamgar striking down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, showcasing it as a makeshift weapon.
– In Ecclesiastes 12:11, the Preacher says “The words of the wise are like oxgoads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.” This compares wise sayings to oxgoads that prick the conscience.
– In Acts 26:14, Saul (who later became Paul) hears Jesus say “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the oxgoads.” This reveals Saul was stubbornly resisting the prodding of his conscience.
So the oxgoad was literally used to control oxen during plowing and could also inflict harm if wielded as a weapon.
Metaphorical Uses of the Oxgoad
Beyond its literal agricultural purpose, the oxgoad took on symbolic meaning in the Bible:
– It represents authority and guidance. Just as oxgoads were used to direct oxen where to plow, God uses His word to direct people in the right way.
– It is a metaphor for the convicting power of God’s word to prick the conscience and stimulate obedience. When wielded skillfully, scriptural truths can prompt people like oxgoads motivating oxen.
– It signifies the futility of stubbornly resisting God’s will. Kicking against the goads only results in harm to oneself, just as fighting God’s prodding leads to hardship.
– It illustrates the wisdom of heeding godly advice. Allowing scriptural truths to guide us leads to blessing, just as submitting to the oxgoad benefits the ox.
So in addition to its literal use, the biblical writers employed the oxgoad as a rich metaphor for God’s authority, guidance, wisdom and convicting power available through His Word when applied skillfully.
Key Bible Verses Mentioning Oxgoads
Some key verses that mention oxgoads include:
Judges 3:31 (ESV): “After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an oxgoad, and he also saved Israel.”
Ecclesiastes 12:11 (ESV): “The words of the wise are like oxgoads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.”
Acts 26:14 (ESV): “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the oxgoads.’”
1 Samuel 13:21 (ESV): “And the charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the oxgoads.”
Proverbs 12:18 (ESV): “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
The Oxgoad Implement and Its Uses
The oxgoad was a long, slender rod or staff approximately 8-10 feet long. One end had a flat, sharp point for prodding the oxen, while the other end had a metal spike, prong, or scraper for clearing plow blades when clogged by thick soil.
Oxgoads served three primary functions:
1. Motivating and steering oxen. The pointed end was used to prod, steer or occasionally strike the oxen to keep them moving in the right direction.
2. Cleaning plow blades. Turning over the oxgoad allowed the iron tip to scrape mud and debris off plow blades.
3. Protecting the plowman. Its length enabled the plowman to reach oxen from behind the plow while still goading them along.
Made of heartwood from ash, oak or hickory trees, oxgoads were lightweight yet durable. The spike was forged of iron for strength. Well-crafted oxgoads were invaluable tools in the hands of ancient farmers and plowmen.
Significance of the Oxgoad in Scripture
What made this agricultural implement spiritually significant? Several reasons:
1. It was a universally familiar tool to biblical audiences. Using it metaphorically aided understanding.
2. It represented power and authority to command oxen. This symbolized God’s authority to lead His people.
3. Its prodding and poking imagery depicted the stimulating effect of God’s Word.
4. It signified the wisdom of heeding godly counsel that guides in the right way.
5. Kicking against it portrayed people stubbornly resisting God’s direction, leading to hardship.
6. Mishandling it could wound the oxen, picturing how misusing Scripture harms others.
7. Utilizing it properly kept oxen on track, just as applying God’s Word skillfully directs people in His paths.
So while a humble farming tool, the oxgoad was elevated in Scripture as a symbol of divine authority, guidance, wisdom and convicting power – principles vital for walking in God’s ways.
Insights on Oxgoads from Bible Commentators
Bible scholars unpack some insightful lessons from verses mentioning oxgoads:
On Shamgar defeating Philistines with an oxgoad (Judges 3:31), Matthew Henry comments that God can use humble means to accomplish His purposes. “The sling and the oxgoad were, in his hand, as powerful as sword or spear.”
Regarding Ecclesiastes 12:11, Adam Clarke sees the oxgoad imagery as God’s Word stimulating obedience and duty. Just as the oxgoad “urges on the sluggish ox in the furrow,” so does Scripture stir believers “to duty, obedience, and usefulness.”
On Acts 26:14, John Gill says kicking against the goads depicts the resistance of an unconverted soul against the Word and Spirit of God. Before conversion, Paul persecuted the church, “which to do was to kick against the goads of his own conscience.”
Charles Spurgeon declared “the influence of the word of God may be likened to an oxgoad; it reaches far beyond those who are immediately under its power.” It prods the conscience of both believers and unbelievers.
So commentators viewed the oxgoad as representing how the convicting power of Scripture motivates believers to obedience and duty, while resisting God’s Word leads to spiritual harm – insightful imagery from this agricultural implement.
Ways the Oxgoad Illustrates the Power of God’s Word
When understood metaphorically, the oxgoad beautifully illustrates principles about God’s Word and its intended effects on people, including:
1. It pictures the authority of Scripture to lead and direct God’s people towards righteous living. Just as the oxgoad guided the oxen while plowing, God’s Word shows believers which way to walk.
2. It represents the stimulating and motivating power of God’s Word. Skillful preaching and teaching of biblical truths prods the conscience and spurs Christians on to obedience, good deeds and spiritual growth.
3. It warns of the danger of ignoring or resisting Scripture’s guidance, showing that kicking against God’s “goads” provokes His discipline.
4. It displays how Scripture can expose and convict people of sin. The piercing point of the oxgoad is like the Word pricking hearts, compelling unbelievers to repentance.
5. It advises relying on God’s Word to successfully navigate life’s challenges and temptations. Using biblical wisdom to guide decisions leads to blessing and favor.
6. It depicts Scripture as able to penetrate deep into the heart if handled rightly. Unlike a stub, the slender oxgoad could reach sensitive areas for maximum motivation.
7. It signifies how consistent application of God’s Word shapes character. Oxen were conditioned by daily prodding to plow straight furrows.
So the imagery of the oxgoad uniquely captures how, when skillfully applied, the truths of Scripture motivate holiness, prompt repentance and conform believers to Christ’s image.
Lessons Christians Can Learn from the Oxgoad
What lessons should Christians derive from the oxgoad’s biblical symbolism?
1. God’s Word is authoritative – it must be obeyed and followed as a guide, just as oxen had to yield to the oxgoad’s prodding.
2. Daily Scripture reading is vital for spiritual growth since its regular “prodding” stimulates Christ-like change.
3. Responding positively to biblical truths leads to blessing, while ignoring or resisting them leads to chastening.
4. God uses Scripture to expose and convict believers of sinful attitudes and behaviors needing repentance.
5. The Word must be handled rightly – skillfully applied and taken to heart for maximum impact, not superficially.
6. Scripture provides direction in every life circumstance when prayerfully consulted.
7. Consistent meditation on the Bible renews the mind and transforms the character into Christ’s image.
8. God’s Word has a far wider impact than we realize, reaching even stubborn hearts.
9. Even difficult scriptural “prods” are given by God for our growth and refinement.
10. Scripture’s ultimate purpose is not to condemn, but to restore people to right relationship with God.
As the oxgoad was vital for timely plowing, God’s Word is indispensable for cultivating spiritual maturity and Christlike virtue in believers’ lives.
The Enduring Relevance of the Oxgoad Metaphor
Some may question if this ancient agricultural imagery remains relevant today. But the principles it represents are timeless. God’s Word still:
– Exposes sin. Like a sharp oxgoad, Scripture pierces hearts, compelling self-examination.
– Motivates righteousness. Through insightful preaching, it prods consciences toward godly living.
– Convicts of error.Biblical truth presses believers to repent and leave wrong thinking and actions.
– Guides decisions. Its principles steer people away from destructive paths if heeded.
– Shapes character. Consistently applied, God’s Word incrementally transforms hearts.
– Demands a response. It insists readers evaluate their lives and either yield to or resist its authority.
Regardless of time or culture, the truths of Scripture retain their penetrating power to stimulate spiritual growth. They remain as relevant as an oxgoad in the hands of a plowman.
The oxgoad metaphor will endure as long as God’s Word convicts sinners and guides Christians. Though an ancient image, it richly conveys the authority and transforming power of divine truth to produce spiritual fruitfulness in believers’ lives.