Paul's recounting of his encounter on the road to Damascus is a powerful testament to the transformative power of divine intervention. As he journeyed with the intent to persecute Christians, he was struck down and heard the voice of Jesus speaking directly to him in Aramaic. The repetition of his name, "Saul, Saul," emphasizes the personal nature of this divine call. Jesus' question, "Why do you persecute me?" underscores the unity between Christ and His followers, indicating that to harm them is to harm Him.
The phrase "kick against the goads" is a metaphor drawn from agriculture, where goads are sharp sticks used to guide oxen. Kicking against them would only cause pain to the animal, symbolizing the futility and self-inflicted harm of resisting God's will. This encounter not only halted Paul's persecution of Christians but also redirected his zeal towards spreading the message of Christ. It serves as a reminder of the profound change that can occur when one is open to divine guidance and the importance of aligning one's actions with a higher purpose.
