“As the king rose from his seat, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly.”

Judges 3:20b-21
During the period of the judges, neighboring countries attacked Israel continually. The phrase, “Once again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord,” comes up again and again in the book of Judges. The Israelites would find themselves in trouble and cry out to God for help. God would deliver them, and each time they would soon return to their sinful ways. This was the backdrop for the gruesome story of Ehud.

After 18 years of subjection, the Israelites sent Ehud with gifts to King Eglon. Ehud strapped a double-edged sword to his right thigh under his clothing and told the king he had a secret message for him. When he and the king were alone, Ehud surprised him and killed him with the sword in a left-handed attack. Afterwards, Ehud gathered an army of fighting men and “struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not a man escaped” (3:29).

Was Ehud himself spectacular as a left-handed swordsman? No, he was not. But he points us to the God who is mighty and strong, faithful and loving, forgiving and rescuing.



Scripture Focus

Judges 3:12-28

Insight

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Bible In A Year

  • Genesis 8-9
  • Psalm 4
  • Matthew 6-7

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