“From Nobody to Somebody”
SERMON Title: From Nobody to Somebody
SCRIPTURE: Judges 3:31 ESV
Introduction
Today, we are given a very short passage, yet this short passage gives us a powerful message of hope and encouragement. So as we unpack this passage we want to focus on three important questions:
1. What kind of man was Shamgar?
2. What kind of weapon did Shamgar use to defeat the Philistines?
3. How does Shamgar’s story give us hope and encouragement in our lives today?
1. What kind of man was Shamgar?
Shamgar, according to the Bible, was a judge who we might think of as the least significant of all the 12 judges of Israel. This is clear because only one verse in the entire Bible speaks about him. In fact, his story is mentioned briefly in Judges 3:31: “After him was Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an ox goad. He too saved Israel.”
Shamgar’s name is also referenced in Deborah’s song in Judges 5:6: “In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned; travelers took to winding paths.” However, there is no mention of him being called a judge. Unlike other judges, the Bible doesn’t explicitly say that God raised him up as a judge. In fact, even in the original Hebrew text, Shamgar isn't given the title of a judge; the Bible merely states that “he struck down the Philistines with an ox goad and saved Israel.”
Other judges, like Othniel, Ehud, and Deborah, were all clearly described as being raised up by God. For example, Judges 3:10 says, “The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he judged Israel” regarding Othniel. Ehud’s calling is described in Judges 3:15, and Deborah’s in Judges 4:4. But Shamgar, by contrast, does not receive such a title.
In our world today, titles are very important because they reflect status and identity. Titles like "CEO" or "Doctor" carry significant weight in business and academic settings, marking one's position of authority. However, God does not place the same emphasis on titles. What truly matters to God is our relationship with Him and how we serve in that relationship. Even though Shamgar did not carry the title of judge, his actions in faithfully serving God made him a legitimate judge in God's eyes. Despite being considered an insignificant farmer or cattle drover, Shamgar was used by God to save Israel. This serves as a reminder that God values what we do for Him, not the titles we hold.
2. What kind of weapon did Shamgar use to defeat the Philistines?
The Bible tells us that Shamgar struck down 600 Philistines with an ox goad (Judges 3:31). An ox goad is a long stick with a pointed tip, used to prod oxen while they plowed the fields. The point wasn’t sharp enough to hurt the ox; it was merely used to encourage movement. In Shamgar’s case, this ox goad, a wooden staff with a dull tip, was the weapon he used to defeat the Philistines.
The Philistines, in contrast, were armed with iron weapons, as the Iron Age had just begun. These iron weapons were far superior to Shamgar’s wooden ox goad, and from a practical standpoint, Shamgar's weapon would seem like a poor choice for battle. Yet, the Bible makes it clear that Shamgar’s victory was not due to the weapon itself, but because of God’s power.
This concept parallels another well-known biblical story: the battle between David and Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17, David, a young shepherd boy, faced the mighty Goliath, who was armored with bronze and wielding a spear. David, by contrast, went into battle with only a staff and a sling.
In 1 Samuel 17:45, David declares to Goliath, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” David’s victory was not due to his sling or stone, but because he trusted in God’s power.
Similarly, Shamgar’s weapon was not the ox goad, but the “Name of the Lord Almighty!” In both cases, the true power behind their victories was God, who gave them the strength to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Just as David defeated Goliath through faith in God, Shamgar defeated 600 Philistines through the power of God’s name. The weapon, in both cases, was a symbol of trust in God’s sovereignty and might.
3. So then, how can we find hope and encouragement in our lives today through the story of Shamgar?
Just as Shamgar was a insignificant nobody who was only a farmer, we often find ourselves in the same position as Shamgar: insignificant and powerless.
- For Those of You Who Are Students - You may feel invisible in a crowded school environment, as if your efforts and contributions don’t matter. With the pressure to perform academically and socially fit in, it can seem like your voice is lost, and you may wonder if anyone truly notices your hard work.
For Those of You Who Are Young Professionals or Workers - You may feel powerless, especially in the early stages of your career. As you work long hours in entry-level positions, performing tasks that seem routine or insignificant, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck in the background with little influence or recognition.
For Those of us Who Are Parents - You may feel like the invisible labor you put into raising your children and managing your household goes unnoticed. The constant demands of daily life can leave you feeling unappreciated, as if your sacrifices don’t make a difference, even though you’re giving your all.
For Those of You Who Are Older Folks or Grandparents - You may feel marginalized in a culture that celebrates youth and innovation, wondering if your wisdom and experiences still hold value. In a world that seems to prioritize the new and the young, it’s easy to feel overlooked or irrelevant.
For Those of You Who Are in Unseen Roles (Stay-at-home parents, service workers, etc.) - You may feel invisible as you carry out the essential but often unnoticed tasks that keep things running smoothly. Whether you're a stay-at-home parent or work in a service role, it can feel like your hard work is uncelebrated and that you have little influence in a world that tends to overlook your contributions.
For Those of You Who Are Going Through Crisis or Hardship - You may feel powerless, especially when faced with illness, financial struggles, or personal loss. It’s easy to feel as though your struggles are insurmountable, and like your pain is something you must carry alone, with little control over your circumstances.
Even as a church - We may feel insignificant when comparing our church to the megachurches around us, with their expansive campuses, large programs, massive attendance, and famous preachers. These churches often have wide-reaching influence, global media presence, and well-known leaders whose teachings are heard by thousands or even millions. And It’s easy to feel like our efforts are small in comparison. It’s easy to wonder if we’re making a real impact when these larger churches have so many resources at their disposal. It can feel as though our work is overshadowed by the success, visibility, and influence of these more prominent, high-profile churches.
But my brothers and sisters! Just as Shamgar who was a nobody was lifted up to be used by God to save the Israelites, we too can be lifted up to be used for God’s kingdom in significant ways!
When the Lord grabs hold of my life and fills me with the power of His Spirit, I, who am nobody, can become somebody significant! The truth is, I don’t have to rely on my own strength, wealth, or abilities to make a difference. What I truly need is the presence and empowerment of the Lord. This is the beautiful truth I see in the lives of Shamgar and David—two seemingly ordinary men who were used mightily by God because their strength wasn’t in their own resources, but in the name of the Lord Almighty.
The key here is that in order for me to become somebody, I too need to put forth the name of the Lord Almighty in my life. Just like Shamgar’s strength wasn’t in the ox goad, and David’s power wasn’t in the sling, my strength must come from God alone. This means I need to depend not on my own strength, but on His power, humbling myself and acknowledging that it is God alone who gives me the ability to do what He calls me to do.
The ultimate source of my confidence and hope is found in Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate “Somebody” who came as a “nobody” to give His life for me. Though He was God, He humbled Himself, living a perfect life, and dying a criminal’s death on the cross. But through His death and resurrection, He gave me a new identity as a child of God. Jesus is the one who fills me with His Spirit, equips me for every good work, and empowers me to live with purpose and significance.
When I rely on Jesus, the source of all power, I too can do far more than I could ever imagine. Just like Shamgar and David, I can become an instrument of His kingdom. It is through Christ that I am changed from a nobody into a somebody—not by my own strength, but by His grace. And that, for me, is the greatest hope I can have today.
Reflection and Response
As we take a moment to reflect and respond to the message, let’s think about the key truths that the Lord has spoken over us this morning.
We’ve seen that - just like Shamgar, who was a seemingly insignificant nobody, God can use even the most unlikely people—people like us—to do mighty things in His name. Our significance doesn’t come from our titles and status, nor does it come from our strength and resources as our weapons. Our significance comes from the power of God working in and through us. Just like David, our victory doesn’t come from our own abilities but from the name of the Lord Almighty. It’s in our Lord Jesus Christ that we find our strength, our purpose, and our significance.
So, as we reflect, I want to ask you a few questions to consider:
· Where are you looking for your significance? Is it in the titles you hold, the job you have, or how others see you? Or are you looking to God to be the source of your identity and strength, trusting that He can use you, no matter how insignificant you may feel?
· Are you relying on your own strength or the power of the Holy Spirit? Are there areas of your life where you’ve been relying on your own “weapons”—whether it’s your skills, your position, or your resources—instead of depending on God’s guidance and power?
· How are you living in the name of the Lord? Just like Shamgar and David, we too are called to live for God’s glory. How can you make His name known in your day-to-day life, whether at work, at school, or in your relationships?
· Are there places in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith, even when you feel small or powerless? Just as God used Shamgar’s simple ox goad and David’s humble sling, God can use the most unlikely things in our lives for His purposes. Are you willing to trust Him with the little things, rather than relying on your own titles or weapons?