Does God know your name and your role in the Kingdom? Judges 1-5

Judges 3:31 (NASBStr)

Shamgar Delivers from Philistines

 After him came Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad; and he also saved Israel.

In the NIV Study notes the authors of the notes breakdown the "major judges" in this book as follows: 

(1) Ehud (3:12–30), a lone hero from the tribe of Benjamin who delivers Israel from oppression from the east.

(2) Deborah (chs. 4–5), a woman from one of the Joseph tribes (Ephraim), who judges at a time when Israel is being overrun by a coalition of Canaanites under Sisera.

(3) Gideon and his son Abimelek (chs. 6–9), whose story forms the central account. In many ways Gideon is the ideal judge, evoking memory of Moses, while his son is the very antithesis of a responsible and faithful judge.

(4) Jephthah (10:6–12:7), a social outcast from the other Joseph tribe (Manasseh, east of the Jordan), who judges at a time when Israel is being threatened by a coalition of powers under the king of Ammon.

(5) Samson (chs. 13–16), a lone hero from the tribe of Dan who delivers Israel from oppression from the west.

You will note that "Shamgar," mentioned in the above verse, is not included in the list.  In fact the reference Judges 3:31 is simply skipped.   Again, the NIV is noted the "major" players in the book and have not done harm by omitting Shamgar, but, never-the-less, he was omitted because he apparently was insignificant as compared to Deborah, Gideon and Samson.   Shamgar apparently didn't rise to the level of popularity as most Judges.   Yet, he didn't escape Deborah's notice when she would later compose a poem to glorify God after her time of delivering Israel.   In Judges 5:6 we see her refer to Shamgar as a legend and legitimate Judge.   In the time of the Judges there was a certain cycle the nation would fall into.  The would fall away from God (apostasy); fall under the rule of a foreign king (oppression); cry out for God's help because of the suffering (oppression); and God would send a deliver (deliverance).  This cycle repeats itself seven times in the book.  Shamgar, like the major judges, was one of those God used to deliver the nation.  Although we might simply skip over his name, God doesn't.   I have personally read the book of Judges probably close to fifty times in my life.  I can honestly say this is the first time I remember seeing his name.   He is tagged on the end of a chapter on Ehud the left-handed Judge and sandwiched between him and Deborah, the only female judge.    Shamgar is not noticed by man but highlighted by God.  Little is know of his life, but God knew him.   The lesson is easy: We might play an insignificant role in our church and few will know your name, but God does.   We might the little toe in the Body of Christ, but God knows our name.   We might only be the size of a mustard seed in the Kingdom of God, but, through obedience in faith, we can do great things for God.   God will know our name and make it known to others when and where He pleases.