“And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.”
This verse is part of the larger narrative in the book of Judges:which describes the period of Israel’s history after they had settled in the Promised Land but before the establishment of the monarchy. During this time, the Israelites were governed by a series of leaders known as judges who were raised up by God to deliver the people from oppression and lead them in times of crisis.
In Judges 3:27, we encounter the story of Ehud, one of the judges of Israel. Ehud was a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin, and he was chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the Moabites, who had oppressed them for eighteen years.
Earlier in the chapter, Ehud had cunningly assassinated the Moabite king, Eglon, who was a very fat man. He had gained access to the king by presenting a tribute, but then he used his left-handedness as an advantage to conceal a sword on his right thigh, which was overlooked by the Moabite guards due to their familiarity with right-handed warriors. With this concealed weapon, Ehud stabbed King Eglon, killing him.
After assassinating the king, Ehud escaped through the chamber’s private room and locked the doors behind him. When the servants of the king discovered Eglon’s lifeless body, they were hesitant to enter the chamber, assuming their king was relieving himself due to the locked door. Eventually, they found the door to be locked and decided to wait, thinking that Eglon was occupied. Time passed, and when they noticed a foul odor coming from the chamber, they concluded that something was wrong. It was at this point that Ehud, having made his escape, arrived in the mountainous region of Ephraim.
Judges 3:27 states that Ehud blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim. The blowing of the trumpet served as a signal to gather the Israelites and rally them for battle against the Moabites. As the verse states, the children of Israel went down with Ehud from the mount, and he was leading them.
This verse highlights the leadership and rallying capabilities of Ehud. He used the trumpet as a means of communication and coordination, summoning the Israelites to join him in their quest for freedom from Moabite oppression. The trumpet blast was a call to action, a symbol of unity and a reminder of God’s deliverance.
The story of Ehud and his triumph over the Moabites illustrates the faithfulness of God to His people and His willingness to raise up leaders to deliver them from their enemies. It also demonstrates the resourcefulness and courage of Ehud, who used his unique attributes and cunning to execute God’s plan.
Overall, Judges 3:27 teaches us the importance of heeding God’s call, uniting with fellow believers, and taking action in the face of oppression or challenges. It encourages us to trust in God’s provision and to use our individual gifts and talents for His purposes.
