Ehud

Our third flawed hero is actually Israel’s second judge: Ehud. After Othniel and before Shagmar —

Judges 3:12a | Once again the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight…

Like we saw in the Judges cycle, even though God rescued his people through Othniel, the Israelites turn away from Him. When that happens in the book of judges, God allows them to be captured — 

Judges 3:12b | …and the Lord gave King Eglon of Moab control over Israel because of their evil.

God’s people were slaves to Eglon, the “very fat” king (Judges 3:17) of Moab for 18 years, 

Judges 3:15a | But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord again raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed man of the tribe of Benjamin.

God raises Ehud to be the second judge of Israel. Interestingly, the single characteristic noted about Ehud is that he was left handed. At this time, being left-handed was seen as a defect. Children were often trained to be right-handed, even if they naturally preferred their left hand. As a “left-handed man,” Ehud was likely underestimated his entire life. 

Ehud is then tasked with bringing the tribute money or the taxes from Israel to King Eglon. It is at this time that Ehud concocts a masterful plan. 

Ehud makes a long dagger and straps it to his right thigh (vs. 16). Historians have noted that people visiting the king were undoubtedly searched for weapons upon arrival. However, typically the left thigh was searched carefully because it is where (right-handed) warriors would holster their weapon. If searched, Ehud’s weapon on his right thigh was not discovered. 

Ehud brings the tribute money to King Eglon (vs 17) and then tells Eglon —

Judges 3:19b | “I have a secret message for you.” So the king commanded his servants, “Be quiet!” and he sent them all out of the room.

Alone with the king, Ehud explains that his message is from God. Just as King Eglon gets up from his chair to hear it, 

Judges 3:21 | Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled out the dagger strapped to his right thigh, and plunged it into the king’s belly.

In masterful detail that is sure to entertain preteen boys everywhere, the Bible overviews how Ehud locks the doors and escapes. King Eglon’s servants assume that Eglon is using the restroom. They leave him be long enough that Ehud leaves town. They finally get so worried that they get a key and find King Eglon had been killed.

Ehud, the left-handed man who had likely been underestimated his whole life, has just undermined Moab and defeated their king. Surely as he heads back to his people, he has earned the right to tell everyone about his victory. He has proven his worth and deserves the glory. But the Bible tells us— 

1st Corinthians 1:31b | “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” 

So instead, here’s what Ehud tells the Israelites— 

Judges 3:28a | “Follow me,” he said, “for the Lord has given you victory over Moab your enemy.” 

Despite his amazing victory and super cool story, Ehud boast in what the Lord has done and as a result, he points everyone straight to God. Instead of saying, follow me, because I’m awesome, Ehud says, “let’s follow God together." The Israelites defeat the Moabites and then live in peace following Him for 80 years. 

As God’s followers, our lives, like Ehud’s, should be examples to those around us that challenge them to follow Jesus or to know Him more deeply. At all times we should be able to say, “Let’s follow God together… follow me as I follow Jesus.”

• Why did God empower Ehud? How did God use him?

• Why was Ehud an unlikely choice for judge?

• Instead of leading people to follow himself, who does Ehud lead them to follow? How?

• Based on Ehud’s example, how can you use your own talents and victories to lead others to follow Jesus?