As we do the daily readings, we often see a point in one of the readings that links to a recent reading in an entirely different section of scripture. For example, Ecclesiastes 12:11 (NKN) speaks of “goads” which we just read the day before in Acts 9:4,5:
Acts 9:4,5: “Saul, Saul…It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
Eccl. 12:11: “The words of the wise are like goads.”
To goad an animal
A goad was an instrument used by farmers to bring a reluctant animal back into line and urge it to greater effort in its work. The instrument comprised a wooden handle speared with nails positioned behind the animal in such a way that hesitancy received a sharp jab. Obstinacy and struggling only made things worse for the animal and it soon learned to come back to its task.
Like the ox, Saul was struggling against a power far superior to his own. He needed to learn it is useless to resist God. In fact there is a Greek proverb with which Saul may have been familiar:
“With God we may not strive.
But to bow down the willing neck
and bear the yoke is wise.
To kick against the pricks is a perilous
enterprise.”
Saul goaded by wise words
Ecclesiastes helps identify the goad working in Saul’s life. “And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find acceptable words…words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads…” (Eccl. 12:8-11).
Reading Ecclesiastes one day after Acts, the suggestion readily comes to mind that God likely used words from wise men to prick Saul’s conscience. Paul must have heard the truth of the gospel preached, but like a stubborn animal was resisting to his own hurt.
To test our idea, we posed the question: From whose lips could words of truth come to redirect Saul? Obviously Stephen comes to mind but there are other possibilities as well.
Barnabas
The ready manner in which Barnabas set out to seek Saul after the Damascan experience gives credence to the idea the two may have previously been acquainted. Barnabas, a rich young Levitical Jew from Cyprus, would probably have been educated in Tarsus, which was a renowned center of learning, before going to Jerusalem. This could make him Saul’s peer.
Another intriguing possibility is that Barnabas may also have been a tent maker, as Tarsus was a well-known center of this skilled craft.
Barnabas was in Jerusalem at Pentecost and presumably had spent some time there finishing his studies in the law. During this time, he may have heard Christ preaching and would quite naturally have shared his impressions with Saul.
Peter and John
As a student who sat at the feet of Gamaliel, Saul would have been present at many meetings of the Jewish council. It is virtually certain he was there sharing the amazement of the Sanhedrin as they witnessed the boldness of Peter and John. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled, and they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Saul, the proud scholar, could well have reacted with bewildered resentment listening to the profound testimony.
Following their release from prison by the hands of an angel, Peter and John were again brought before the council and again provided a spirited defense of the gospel. If present, Saul would have been incensed by their words and might very well have been with those who “took counsel to slay them” (Acts 5:33).
In his defense, Peter makes the points that while Jesus was hanged on a tree, God has now highly exalted him to be Prince and Savior (Acts 5:30-31). These same points are presented in the same sequence by Paul in Philippians 2:8-10: Because Jesus submitted to the death on the cross, therefore God has now highly exalted him that at the name of Jesus (Savior) every knee should bow (to their Prince). Surely this is not coincidence!
Paul must have heard Peter, and the inspired preaching became imprinted on his mind to be retrieved after his conversion. First, however, Saul planned violent action to silence the doctrine taught by the apostles.
Gamaliel
Acts 5:34 introduces us to the great scholar Gamaliel. His warning to the Sanhedrin has been recorded for all later generations: “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it lest ye be found to fight against God” (Acts 5:39 NKJV).
It is tempting to think that such sound advice came from a heart which was leaning toward recognition of Jesus as the promised Messiah. Gamaliel was old enough to have witnessed the amazing incident of the 12-year old Jesus confounding the learned men in the temple. He would have known the fellow teacher Nicodemus and observed his gradual conversion.
If our conjecture is correct, consider how profound the effect of Jesus’ teaching would have been on the mind of Gamaliel. He would have discussed it with his students, including Saul, no doubt evoking spirited debate. His warning to the council could well have been directed to Saul, whose impetuous zeal to persecute the disciples would be known to his teacher.
Stephen
Any resentment Saul may have felt at being told he was obstructing God’s plan would have been heightened to intense rage on hearing Stephen’s defense. “Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did so do you! Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold of the coming of the Just One, of whom now you have become betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it!” (Acts 7:51-55 NIUV).
Here was a Pharisee of Pharisees accused of not keeping the law! This would have been infuriating to Saul who considered himself outstanding in obedience, in all things of the law, blameless. Provoked to blinding fury, he kicked against the goading spiritual truths. Just as his forebears had rejected the law given by angels, he now refused the gift of grace given through one who had the face of an angel.
Any prodding’s of conscience stirred by right exposition of scripture were now stubbornly suppressed as he entered on a frenzy of activity persecuting the believers.
Eventually he would be brought to his knees on the way to Damascus. He could no longer kick against the goads. The word was in his heart directing him to the great work that his Lord had in store for him.
May we store up the words of God in our heart. May we respond with pleasure and delight to their proddings so that it may be said of us, “his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law he meditates day and night” (Psa. 1:2).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One