"The Words Of The Wise Are As Goads"

by T.W. Fullerton, Melbourne | Category: General | Oct 1973

The goad was a wooden pole, having at one end a sharp point for prodding animals into action. Kicking against the goads is a metaphor for useless and painful resistance to a greater power.

The apostle Paul, in his defence before king Agrippa, referred to the words spoken to him by the Lord at the time of his conversion, "It is hard for thee to kick against the goads" (Acts 26:14, RVM). Young Saul of Tarsus was a vessel chosen by the Lord to bear His name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. His background as a Pharisee, and his zeal for the law and the traditions of his fathers, caused him to oppose Jesus of Nazareth and His claim to Messiahship. He considered Him an impostor and His followers to be misguided, and worthy of the judgement laid down for such in the law of Moses (Deut.

13:6-11).

Before the Lord could bring Saul to submit completely to His will goads were used by His skilful, unerring hand. One such goad was doubtless the death of Stephen. To the legal and deluded mind of Saul Stephen was guilty of blasphemy. But the sight of this dying servant of the Lord, looking steadfastly up to heaven, and fearlessly stating what he saw, and hearing his last words, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit", combined with his prayer for his murderers, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge", was a goad against which Saul kicked in vain.

It is very probable that the young Pharisee had discussed with his teacher, Gamaliel, the things written in the law, the prophets and the psalms concerning the Messiah, His sufferings and His glorious reign. We are not told how many goads were used by the Lord the Spirit, but against them all Saul kicked, and madly pursued the course to which his conscience, influenced by his training as a Pharisee, directed him. But when the Lord Himself appeared to him, and the Scriptures were made alive to him by the Spirit of God, Saul of Tarsus kicked against the goads for the last time. Now, at last, he bowed in complete submission to the risen, glorified Christ.

There is much that we can learn from this. We may, perhaps, be discouraged that, when seeking to make disciples, our labours do not bring immediate results. But many have had experiences similar to those we have pictured in the Lord's dealings with Saul of Tarsus. The word of God implanted in the memory in early years has become as goads in later youth, manhood or womanhood. Circumstances, too, may bring the word of God to mind and there may be kicking against it. The kicking may be painful until at last there is submission to Him who used the goad to bring us to Himself for salvation or discipleship.

Let us consider, then, that the word of the Lord we speak publicly or privately may act as a goad to those who hear. In the working of God there may have been many previous goadings and still there is a kicking against the Spirit of God. Ours may be the final one against which someone can kick no longer. A gospel leaflet or booklet could well be used by the Spirit of God for this purpose and bring a soul to Christ for salvation or for discipleship.

"He that is wise winneth souls" (Prov. 11:30), and souls are not usually won without the use of a goad. "The words of the wise are as goads" (Eccles. 12:11).

T.W. Fullerton, Melbourne | Oct 1973
General