Simple People Making a Significant Impact by Bishop Gore

SUMMER 2026 ISSUE | 5 minute read

THE SPIRIT OF SHAMGAR

Throughout its pages—woven through chapters and verses—Scripture reveals ordinary men and women who accomplished extraordinary things for God. It would be easy to focus on the well-known figures we all recognize, but I am drawn to those obscure individuals who received little attention, fame, or fanfare. Simple people who made a significant impact—those scorned in the eyes of the world and never celebrated in their moment. Others forsook everything to follow Christ, never receiving an earthly reward. These heroes of the faith both inspire and intrigue me.

Shamgar fits this description. He is one of the more obscure, yet intriguing, figures in the Bible—mentioned briefly in a single verse in the Old Testament. Despite the lack of detail, his story speaks powerfully to us today.

Judges 3:31 — “After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel.”

Shamgar is introduced in the Book of Judges during a time when Israel was caught in a vicious cycle of sin. They were oppressed by foreign nations and, as always, in need of someone to step in and bring deliverance. The climate and culture were, at best, unstable. Travel was dangerous. Main roads were abandoned due to insecurity and oppression, and fear was rampant among the people.

History shows us that whenever there is a moment of need, God always has a man or woman ready to step up and meet it. God didn’t then—and doesn’t now—always choose the most likely or logical candidate.

Shamgar didn’t have the pedigree for this assignment. Scripture identifies him as the son of Anath—a name linked to a Canaanite deity. Could it be that God would use a non-Israelite to accomplish His plan and purpose?

Shamgar didn’t have the proper weaponry to defeat 600 Philistines. An ox goad was simply a farming tool used to prod oxen. Surely, one might expect God to provide an army from heaven or, at the very least, more effective weapons to face such an enemy.

But Shamgar did have the right posture to be used by God—a posture of willingness, obedience, and faithfulness. Who else would be willing to face 600 men armed with nothing but an ox goad?

He also had the right perspective to carry the weight of the moment. While others avoided danger, Shamgar stepped into it. He understood this wasn’t about him—it was about his God and the people in need.

Shamgar also had the right people. Though Scripture makes no mention of others standing with him, we know that no victory is ever truly won alone. Even if no one fought beside him, surely someone stood in the shadows—praying, believing, and cheering him on.

Though mentioned in only a single verse, Shamgar’s life reminds us that significance in God’s kingdom is not measured by how much is written about us, but by our willingness to act in faith when the opportunity arises.

Daniel 11:32 — “Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”

Bishop Travis Gore
State Ministries Director
Virginia Church of God State Office