IT IS HARD … TO KICK AGAINST THE PRICKS

Pricks or goads were implements used to guide ploughing oxen. A goad consisted of a slender eight foot long pole brought to a sharp point at one end. Though its main use was, and still is, for agricultural purposes, it was also used on one occasion as a formidable weapon of war, Judg. 3. 31; 1 Sam. 13. 21.

Metaphorically, the use of goads is likened to the influence of the words of the wise provoking the thoughts of their hearers, Eccles. 12. 11. Proverbially, however, the more frequent use is found in the expression ‘to kick against the goads’, which signi­fied the futility of resisting a superior power. The ox which kicks against the pricks will only hurt itself more. Similarly, those who oppose the will of God end up suffering for it.

How beautiful is the picture drawn here by the Holy Spirit of the fruitless resistance of Saul of Tarsus to the revealed truth of God. For years, this staunch Pharisee, educated at the feet of Gamaliel, had refused to accept the Messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth. The claims of Jesus to deity were also unacceptably blasphemous to Saul’s Jewish conscience. In his misguided zeal for God, Saul persecuted the followers of Jesus to the death, binding and delivering both men and women into prison.

On this particular occasion, he, breathing threatenings and slaughter against them, was on his way to Damascus to bring the disciples bound to Jerusalem. How wonderful it is to note that, in this mindset of anger and fury, Saul would be met by the Master Himself. That zealous persecutor of the church of God was brought to his knees by the overwhelming glory of a light from heaven, v. 3. Now, prostrate on the earth, he hears a voice inquiring, ‘Why persecutest thou me?’ Saul, perceiving that the One addressing him must be divine, asked, ‘Who art thou, Lord?’ But he was not prepared for the answer, ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecutest’! Could that be true? Is Jesus the true Messiah, crucified, risen, now alive and glorified? So, He was not the imposter other Pharisees had said He was. Trembling, aston­ished, and in complete surrender, Saul said, ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?’ The Lord of glory had become now, and forever, Saul’s Lord and Master.