A large percentage of people in the first century were tillers of the soil. Oxen were used to work the soil. The prick or goad was a necessary devise. The prick was usually a wooden shaft with a pointed spike (prick) at one end. The man working the ox would position the goad in such a way as to exert influence and control over the ox. You see, if the ox refused the command indicated by the farmer, the goad would be used to jab or prick the ox. Sometimes the ox would refuse this incentive by kicking out at the prick. As result, the prick would be driven deeper into the flesh of the rebellious animal. The more the animal rebelled, the more the animal suffered. Hence, the statement to Saul: "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." (Saul was rebelling against God.)
Saul didn't have a prick with pointed spikes on it that he was kicking against and neither do we. Thanks be to God that you and I don't have to endure physical pain, as did these oxen at the point of rebellion. We must learn to totally submit to the Will and the way of God. There is no need for us to rebel and kick against the prick with God. His Will is to build us up and to make us a better person in Him. After He told Saul that "it is hard to kick against the pricks.", in Acts 26:16 He saids; "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make the a (MINISTER) and a (WITNESS) both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;". Just trust God and yield. If He saids Repent then you should repent. If He saids be baptized in His name then you should be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. If He saids receive the Holy Ghost then receive ye the Holy Ghost. God has put a plan in place to redeem us and to reconcile us back to Himself and it is written in Acts 2:38. This is how we are born again, according to John 3:5.
Troyce D. Mack
ARC - United Pentecostal Church
7 Berkeley St.
Manning, SC 29102
David W. Gleason; Pastor
