Judged

Background

What is a Judge? well a judge in the Bible is not exactly what we think of as Judges today. The book of judges actually refers to someone that frees Israel from their bondage and captivity by a foreign king, and then leads them in the way of God. They were not elected, nor appointed however it seems like they were a beloved and charismatic person in their time who God raised up to deliver Israel

However we see many times that Israel will follow God while the judge is living, and then immediately forget what they said after they die, and follow other false gods.

We see this cycle beginning in Judges 3

Judges 3:7–8 (NIV)

Othniel

7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. 8 The anger of the Lord burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.

This was the cause of the first Judge in the book of Judges. However we are going to discuss what happened with the second of the Judges. His name was Ehud. What a name.

Who is Ehud?

Ehud is the second Judge of Israel, however we dont really know a whole lot about him other than the fact that he is also left handed, which you will see becomes very important later.

The Turn

Judges 3:12–14 (NIV)

Ehud

12 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. 13 Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms. 14 The Israelites were subject to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years.

So we see what appears to be Israels best past time, is turning away from God, and they do it again here.

However if we are honest how many times do we turn away from God in our own lifetime, much less in multiple generations?

The Deliverance

Judges 3:15–19 (NIV)

15 Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. 16 Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a cubit long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. 17 He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man. 18 After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way those who had carried it. 19 But on reaching the stone images near Gilgal he himself went back to Eglon and said, “Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you.”

The king said to his attendants, “Leave us!” And they all left.

The tribute here that is mentioned is basically the tax that was required from the Israelites, and they chose Ehud to send it to the King so that he would be able to get close to the king.

The sword that was created is a cubit long which equals to approx 20.5 inches or a little over a foot and a half long

This kind of goes back to what I was speaking about last week with Elijah, I dont know what these Israelites were doing to be able to basically give the Kings orders and suggestions, but here again we see a king trusting Ehud so much that he was willing to be in a room completely by himself.

Not only was he completely by himself but we see here that he was a very fat man to the point that there is no way that he would have been able to defend himself from anyone.

Judges 3:20–22 (NIV)

20 Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his palace and said, “I have a message from God for you.” As the king rose from his seat, 21 Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly. 22 Even the handle sank in after the blade, and his bowels discharged. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it.

Here is where being left handed becomes very important for Ehud. Most people in the world today are Right handed, this was the same if not more so in Biblical times. Many times being left handed was looked down upon and even considered evil.

Judges 3:23–25 (NIV)

23 Then Ehud went out to the porch; he shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them.

24 After he had gone, the servants came and found the doors of the upper room locked. They said, “He must be relieving himself in the inner room of the palace.” 25 They waited to the point of embarrassment, but when he did not open the doors of the room, they took a key and unlocked them. There they saw their lord fallen to the floor, dead. 26 While they waited, Ehud got away. He passed by the stone images and escaped to Seirah.

So now we see that Ehud leaves after stabbing the king, closes the door behind him and leaves.

Now here is where I start to find new servants. They see Ehud leave and notice the door locked but do no more investigating on what happened, they just assume he’s going to the bathroom.

Judges 3:27–30 (NIV)

27 When he arrived there, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went down with him from the hills, with him leading them.

28 “Follow me,” he ordered, “for the Lord has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands.” So they followed him down and took possession of the fords of the Jordan that led to Moab; they allowed no one to cross over. 29 At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not one escaped. 30 That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years.

Take aways

Dont forget what God has done

We see here time and time again that Israel forgot God and chose to follow a false God

God can use you even if the world around you thinks you arent good enough

Many people looked down on Ehud because he was left handed, however God used that exact part of Ehuds life to help deliver the Israelites

Follow God’s direction even if it terrifies you

It was probably pretty scary for Ehud to walk into the King’s court carrying a sword knowing that he was about to assassinate the king