“And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man.”
Context:The Book of Judges describes a period in Israel’s history after the death of Joshua when the Israelites were governed by a series of judges. This verse is part of the account of Ehud, one of the judges whom God raised up to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Moabites.
The Oppression of Moab:Prior to Ehud’s rise, the Israelites had done evil in the sight of the Lord, and as a consequence, God allowed Eglon, the king of Moab, to oppress them for eighteen years (Judges 3:12-14). This oppression caused great suffering for the Israelites, who cried out to God for deliverance.
Ehud’s Preparation:In response to their cries, God raised up Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin, as a deliverer. Ehud was chosen for his unique physical trait because it would play a significant role in carrying out his mission (Judges 3:15-16).
The Present to Eglon:Ehud made a double-edged sword, about a cubit (approximately 18 inches) in length, and concealed it on his right thigh, under his clothing. He then presented a tribute to Eglon, the obese king of Moab. This tribute was likely meant to show allegiance and gain access to Eglon’s presence (Judges 3:17).
Ehud’s Cunning Act:After offering the tribute, Ehud dismissed his attendants and approached Eglon alone. He declared that he had a secret message for the king and asked for privacy. Eglon, perhaps intrigued, dismissed his attendants as well, and Ehud took the opportunity to assassinate Eglon by thrusting the sword into his belly (Judges 3:18-23).
Escape and Victory:Ehud left the room and locked the doors behind him, leaving Eglon’s attendants under the impression that their king wanted privacy. By the time they realised something was wrong and opened the doors, Ehud had already escaped. He blew a trumpet to rally the Israelites and led them to victory over the Moabites, killing about 10,000 of their soldiers (Judges 3:24-30).
Lessons from Judges 3:17:
- God uses unexpected people:Ehud was a left-handed man, which was considered unusual in his time. Despite his apparent disadvantage, God chose him to be a deliverer of Israel. This teaches us that God can use anyone, regardless of their perceived limitations or societal norms.
- God’s deliverance often comes through human agents:In this account, God used Ehud as an instrument of deliverance. Similarly, in our lives, God may choose to work through people to bring about His deliverance, protection, or blessing.
- God’s deliverance requires courage and cunning:Ehud showed great courage in carrying out his mission. He took risks and acted decisively. His cunning approach in presenting the tribute and gaining access to Eglon’s presence allowed him to accomplish his purpose. We should be willing to step out in faith, take risks, and use wisdom to fulfil God’s purposes.
- God’s justice prevails:The story of Ehud demonstrates that God is a just God who brings judgment upon those who oppress His people. Eglon, who oppressed the Israelites for years, met a swift and decisive end. This reminds us that God sees the suffering of His people and works to bring justice and deliverance.
God’s deliverance leads to worship and celebration:After Ehud’s victory, the Israelites were filled with gratitude and worshipped God. They recognised His faithfulness and celebrated His deliverance. When God works in our lives and delivers us from oppression or difficult situations, it should lead us to praise and worship Him.
As we study this account, let us be encouraged by God’s faithfulness and the assurance that He can use us, even in unexpected ways, to bring about His purposes and deliverance in our lives.
