Goad

An ox goad was usually a pointed stick, often quite large (8-10ft long), which was used to poke the ox and goad it into moving when you wanted it to move. The back often had a shovel-like instrument (flat chisel-shaped iron) used to clean the plow. A tool with multiple uses; in the field, for animals, for the lazy, and as a weapon.

With those of tough hide… to get their attention, proded, urged, pushed, motivated… to pick at others to encourage, motivate, get them going, or just to get them “all riled up”(agitate, aggravate, bother, badger, harass, upset, anger, poke, scrape, prod, dig at)

Judges 3:31 Shamgar son of Anath killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad

“It could do villainous work in the hands of an experienced fighter” (ISBE)

“Since the goad was only meant to annoy the ox, not actually injure it, it probably would not have been all that sharp. It was not really supposed to be dangerous. Therefore, this was an odd weapon to use, and one that normally would not have been very effective, however in the hands of a strong man, it would have made a better weapon than a simple club. Still, the fact that he killed this many Philistines with one indicates how much the LORD must have been helping him.” (Wordpress, Precepts)

Ecclesiastes 12:11-12 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

“The image of prodding the reluctant or lazy creature made this a useful metaphor for sharp urging, such as the prick of conscience, the nagging of a mate, or the "words of the wise," which are "firmly embedded nails" in human minds” (All Things in the Bible:)

Acts 26:14 "It is hard for thee to kick against the goad"

It was as useless for Saul to keep on in the wrong way as for a fractious ox to attempt to leave the furrow. He would surely be brought back with a prick of the goad.

Goads were used to prod cattle and livestock forward, and they would frequently kick back at them, only causing themselves more injury. We "kick against the goads". There is a right way but we fight it and in doing so we aren't hurting God... we are only hurting ourselves.

· I need to be goaded – when lazy, when needing motivation, when procrastinating, when can’t seem to get it done, can’t get creativity-ideas going
· I have been goaded wrong
· I have been goaded and did not appreciate it at the time then saw the reason behind it and am now grateful
· I have goaded others for good
· I have goaded others wrong

John, the Disciple Jesus Loved

Five times in John’s gospel he described himself as the disciple Jesus loved:
    John 13:23 at the Last Supper
    John 19:26 on the cross
    John 20:2 running to the empty tomb
    John 21:7 miraculous catch of 153 fish
    John 21: 20 reprimand given to Peter

"other disciple" There are also two references to an unnamed in John 1:35-40 and John 18:15-16, which may be to the same person based on the wording in John 20:2

Author He is credited with writing the Gospel of John; the letters 1, 2, and 3 John; and the book of Revelation.

Brother James another disciple of Jesus

Cousin of Jesus…His father was Zebedee, and their mother Salome was sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. On the cross, Jesus entrusted the care of his mother, Mary, to an unnamed disciple, probably John, who took her into his home -John 19:27

Disciple one of the first disciples chosen

Evangelist He was an elder in the early church and helped spread the gospel message.

Fast Runner, both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. John 20:4

Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee from Capernaum when Jesus called them to follow him.

Not mentioned in the other gospels

One of the "sons of thunder." (Boanerges)On one occasion, when a Samaritan village rejected Jesus, James and John asked if they should call down fire from heaven to destroy the place. That earned them the nickname

One of Top 3, along with Peter. This inner circle was privileged to be with Jesus at the raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead, at the transfiguration, and Jesus in Gethsemane.

There is a tradition that he was thrown into boiling oil but emerged unhurt. All in attendance were saved and converted that witnessed this miracle

And my favorite thot….Still Alive TODAY John 21:22 "If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?

Crimson Worm

Last Wednesday night Thom Todd (a veterinarian at USF) led an amazing choir devotion and made the following comparisons to our Savior, Jesus Christ

In Psalm 22:6, the word "worm" in Hebrew is a particular female worm, which is called the "crimson worm”

·         First, the crimson worm climbs on the tree all by itself.

·         The crimson worm knows when it climbs on the tree that it will not come back down alive. It is going to the tree to birth a family and to do that it must die.

·         The crimson worm then attaches itself to the tree. It makes sure it is secure because the body of the worm will eventually be the shelter for the young, which are born. The worms will then lay its eggs and shelter them under her body.

·         During the birthing process, she secretes a crimson fluid or gel. The scarlet fluid covers her entire body and all the eggs she lays. It also leaves a stain on the tree, which will never fade away with the passing of time!

·         The living worm is eaten by its young.

·         After dying to birth the family, For three days the worm can be scraped from the tree and the crimson gel can be used to make a dye.

·         On the morning of the fourth day, the worm has pulled the head and tail together and is now in the shape of a heart on the tree but it is no longer crimson. It is now a wax, which is white and falls to the ground like snow. They can still harvest the wax and use it to make shellac, a preservative of wood.

·         The crimson worm is also very fragrant when it is crushed.

·         The crushed worm is also used to make medicine that helps the heart beat smoothly.