Episode 174

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Published on:

12th Dec 2025

"Goads & Nails From The Good Shepherd" -- Ecc. 12:11

Goads and Nails from the Good Shepherd

Ecclesiastes 12:11

In this devotional-focused episode of The Kingdom Corner Podcast, Matt Geib reflects on Ecclesiastes 12:11 and the profound imagery of goads and well-driven nails—two metaphors that reveal how God lovingly shapes, corrects, and establishes His people through His Word.


Drawing from his devotional book Searching for Significance: A Devotional Journey Through Ecclesiastes, Matt explores how the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, both lovingly prods us forward and anchors us firmly in truth.


Key Themes & Teaching Points



  • The One Shepherd

  • Ecclesiastes’ “one shepherd” points prophetically to Jesus Christ—the Good Shepherd revealed in the New Covenant (John 10; Isaiah 40).



  • Goads: Loving Conviction & Direction

  • Goads were tools used by shepherds to keep sheep moving in the right direction. Scripture functions the same way—convicting, correcting, and redirecting us when we wander (Acts 2:37–38; Psalm 119:71).



  • Nails: Stability & Establishment

  • God’s Word is also like firmly embedded nails—fixing us, grounding us, and keeping us rooted in Christ (Psalm 1; Ephesians 3:17–19).



  • Discipline as Love

  • Drawing from Hebrews 12, Matt reflects on how divine discipline—though uncomfortable—produces righteousness, maturity, and peace.



  • Words That Spur the Will & Shape the Heart

  • Wise words do more than inform; they move us to obedience and remain lodged in our memory, shaping our character and future.


Scriptures Highlighted



  • Ecclesiastes 12:9–11



  • John 10:11–16



  • Isaiah 40:11



  • Acts 2:37–38



  • Psalm 119:11, 71



  • Psalm 1:1–3



  • Ephesians 3:17–19



  • Hebrews 12:5–11



  • 1 Timothy 6:17–19


Closing Reflection

God’s Word is never random or harsh—it is loving, precise, and purposeful. The Good Shepherd knows when to gently goad us forward and when to firmly anchor us in truth, so that we may walk in holiness, wisdom, and spiritual maturity.


📘 Searching for Significance: A Devotional Journey Through Ecclesiastes by Matthew P. Geib is available on Amazon.


🌐 Learn more at SignificanceAcademy.com

🎧 Subscribe to The Kingdom Corner Podcast to stay connected with future episodes—including the continuation of the Nightingale’s Song series and lessons from history through a Kingdom lens.

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The Kingdom Corner with Matt Geib
Kingdom Conversations: Biblical Truth
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Matt Geib

Welcome to The Kingdom Corner, where timeless wisdom meets today’s journey of faith. Hosted by [The Great Matt Geib], a Kingdom-minded leader, Apostle, and online business consultant, this podcast offers profound biblical insights rooted in a life of study, experience, and dedication to God’s Word.

For over five years, Matt Geib has been equipping listeners with transformative teachings, focusing on Scripture's depth and relevance for the modern believer. Through in-depth Bible study, engaging discussions, and inspiring interviews with Christian authors, teachers, and pastors, each episode is designed to illuminate the path of faith, challenge the heart, and deepen one's understanding of God's Kingdom.

Inspired by thought leaders like Tyler Frick, Benjamin Franklin,Solomon, The Apostle Paul and Jesus Christ, Matt brings an analytical yet compassionate approach to teaching, grounded in love, faith, and wisdom. Whether exploring the Epistle of Ephesians, the poetic insights of Ecclesiastes, or the foundational concept of God’s Corporate Temple, The Kingdom Corner is a place to grow, learn, and be equipped for a Kingdom-centered life.

Join us on The Kingdom Corner and discover how the truths of Scripture can transform your walk with God, enrich your relationships, and empower you to make a lasting impact.