Saul of Tarsus- "circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee... as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless" (philippians 3:5-6).
He lived his life, as best he could, doing what he thought was right. He adhered to the law, abstained from immorality, studied fervently, and zealously opposed what he thought was wrong. But there was a tension in his life- despite his religious zeal, his firm asceticism and adherence to the law, not matter how fervent his prayers or his efforts- something wasn't right.
This was not a man chasing after vanity, or purely living to please himself. Most honest people can tell you that this life certainly produces emptiness and despair. This was a man who had dedicated his life to the Lord. He even denied his own pleasure for the sake of the synagogue and the God of Israel. Yet he was not fulfilled and all of his striving only produced more striving. He could never do enough and even what he did do never brought pleasure or joy.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but it's end is the way of death (proverbs 14:12, 16:25). The way that seems right is much more deceptive than the way that is obviously wrong. duh. It is not a just prodigal, immoral, irresponsible living that leads to death but even a well-intentioned, religious, purpose-driven life!
It doesn't matter how we spend our life: whether in "loose living" or "slaving... never disobey[ing] orders..." (Luke 15). The two sons in Jesus' parable demonstrated two lives that spanned the spectrum in terms of lifestyles. Both sons were pursuing joy and pleasure and fulfillment, both did what seemed right to them. One ended up desperate and regretful, the other, judgmental and bitter. It manifested in very different ways, but both sons' rebellion towards their father made their lives miserable and unfulfilled.
Paul's life probably looked a lot like the elder son's. He was a slave to the law and commandments and committed himself to what he thought was right. But his lifestyle did not bring life and in fact it's end was in death.
Every man is just trying to find his way. To an extent, we all do what seems right to us. But often this results in great resistance and turmoil. Often we are desperately seeking fulfillment and satisfaction but only find grief and emptiness. Why? Because "it is hard for you to kick against the goads (Acts 26:14)
Jesus spoke these words to Paul on the road to Damascus. and in an instant, everything that Paul had been living his life for, every area in which he had been seeking purpose and fulfillment was completely turned on its head. He had been kicking against the goads and it took a shining light from heaven and direct revelation from the Jesus for him to realize it.
What does it mean to kick against the goads? "A goad (in hebrew Malmad- Judges 3:31) was a long-handled, metal-tipped, pointed instrument, like a javelin, used to urge on oxen when plowing... In Hebrew, the word ox goad is a derivative of the word LA-MAD meaning to learn or teach. So literally we could say - the ox goad was a teacher. It prodded the ox into the correct path that the master/owner was directing or trying to teach. When the animal went off course, it got pricked by the goad. At the same time, if the animal kicked against the goad in refusal, it quickly learned how painful that was"
It is hard to kick against the goads. It is much easier, much wiser to submit and allow our good shepherd to lead us, to teach us, to guide us. Often areas of resistance in our lives and struggles that we face are not in fact because we are doing a good work and the enemy is opposing us but because we are opposing the one who is trying to guide us to the right path. In our stubborn pride we continue in the way that seems right to us and allow the goad to push further and further into our flesh. Unlike the thorn in Paul's flesh however, it is not meant to be there and if we would simply surrender the way that seems right to us we would find ourselves on a much better path.
The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. -Ecclesiastes 12:11
He lived his life, as best he could, doing what he thought was right. He adhered to the law, abstained from immorality, studied fervently, and zealously opposed what he thought was wrong. But there was a tension in his life- despite his religious zeal, his firm asceticism and adherence to the law, not matter how fervent his prayers or his efforts- something wasn't right.
This was not a man chasing after vanity, or purely living to please himself. Most honest people can tell you that this life certainly produces emptiness and despair. This was a man who had dedicated his life to the Lord. He even denied his own pleasure for the sake of the synagogue and the God of Israel. Yet he was not fulfilled and all of his striving only produced more striving. He could never do enough and even what he did do never brought pleasure or joy.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but it's end is the way of death (proverbs 14:12, 16:25). The way that seems right is much more deceptive than the way that is obviously wrong. duh. It is not a just prodigal, immoral, irresponsible living that leads to death but even a well-intentioned, religious, purpose-driven life!
It doesn't matter how we spend our life: whether in "loose living" or "slaving... never disobey[ing] orders..." (Luke 15). The two sons in Jesus' parable demonstrated two lives that spanned the spectrum in terms of lifestyles. Both sons were pursuing joy and pleasure and fulfillment, both did what seemed right to them. One ended up desperate and regretful, the other, judgmental and bitter. It manifested in very different ways, but both sons' rebellion towards their father made their lives miserable and unfulfilled.
Paul's life probably looked a lot like the elder son's. He was a slave to the law and commandments and committed himself to what he thought was right. But his lifestyle did not bring life and in fact it's end was in death.
Every man is just trying to find his way. To an extent, we all do what seems right to us. But often this results in great resistance and turmoil. Often we are desperately seeking fulfillment and satisfaction but only find grief and emptiness. Why? Because "it is hard for you to kick against the goads (Acts 26:14)
Jesus spoke these words to Paul on the road to Damascus. and in an instant, everything that Paul had been living his life for, every area in which he had been seeking purpose and fulfillment was completely turned on its head. He had been kicking against the goads and it took a shining light from heaven and direct revelation from the Jesus for him to realize it.
What does it mean to kick against the goads? "A goad (in hebrew Malmad- Judges 3:31) was a long-handled, metal-tipped, pointed instrument, like a javelin, used to urge on oxen when plowing... In Hebrew, the word ox goad is a derivative of the word LA-MAD meaning to learn or teach. So literally we could say - the ox goad was a teacher. It prodded the ox into the correct path that the master/owner was directing or trying to teach. When the animal went off course, it got pricked by the goad. At the same time, if the animal kicked against the goad in refusal, it quickly learned how painful that was"
It is hard to kick against the goads. It is much easier, much wiser to submit and allow our good shepherd to lead us, to teach us, to guide us. Often areas of resistance in our lives and struggles that we face are not in fact because we are doing a good work and the enemy is opposing us but because we are opposing the one who is trying to guide us to the right path. In our stubborn pride we continue in the way that seems right to us and allow the goad to push further and further into our flesh. Unlike the thorn in Paul's flesh however, it is not meant to be there and if we would simply surrender the way that seems right to us we would find ourselves on a much better path.
The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. -Ecclesiastes 12:11
