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