6. Staying on Higher Ground: Ehud – With God On a Mission Trip

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Hymns: 454 Make Me a Blessing 452 Rescue the Perishing 450 To the Work!

Judges 3:12-30

12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. 13 And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees. 14 So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years. 15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab. 16 But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh. 17 And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man. 18 And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present. 19 But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him. 20 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat. 21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly: 22 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out. 23 Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them. 24 When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber. 25 And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth. 26 And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath. 27 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. 28 And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over. 29 And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man. 30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.

Ehud – With God on a Mission Trip

Nevertheless, the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them…But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab. (Judges 2:1; 3:15)      

OUTLINE

  • Every Weakness Under God Is a Strength
  • Pertinent Lessons 

INTRODUCTION 

When Jesus chose His disciples, He took them from their humble profession. These were not the whose-who of Israel. The fishermen and tax-collector were the meanest and most despised of occupations. The Apostle Paul observed well when he said in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (KJV) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

It was so that our spirituality cannot be based upon our intellect, social standing, or anything for that matter. 

Truly, what wisdom is there dying on a cross? The Greeks couldn’t understand it, and yet that is the wisdom of God. 

Matthew 11:25 (KJV) At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Ehud was the second judge whom the LORD raised to deliver Israel from its enemies. These judges administered legal justice and governed. 

God wisely chose Ehud, who was courageous and honoured God (v28). Being left-handed (v15), Ehud could easily carry his dagger on the opposite leg, concealed under his robes.

According to Josephus, Ehud had obtained the favour and confidence of Eglon, king of Moab, who had captured Jericho and required Israel to pay tribute. When Ehud brought Israel’s tribute, he announced that he had a secret message. Eglon dismissed his attendants and stood to receive more readily Ehud’s two-edged message, which proved to be God’s directed judgment. Josephus adds that the servant would be normally dismissed till the afternoon. Thus, Ehud escaped. 

The Creator can use every aspect of our lives for His unique purpose. God protected His servant. God can take common circumstances and turn them into blessings and deliverance for His people. [Devotional Bible]

Job 5:19 (KJV) He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

God can use us for great purposes, and He will still do, if we have real faith in Him, and full submission to His will.

John 15:19 (KJV) If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

In our last study, we concluded with the sad state of Israel’s unfaithfulness in not subduing the land. They failed to obey the LORD’S instructions to totally destroy the Canaanites but allowed them to co-exist. The failure to practice practical separation from the evil and licentious idolatry of the Canaanites resulted in their downfall. When we let sin to fester in our lives, it will lead to our destruction. Israel fell into the chastitive will of God. We read this is Judges 2:14-17 given here.

“And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.”

This is the life pattern in the Christian who allows sin to fester and rule his/her life quenching and grieving the Holy Spirit that indwells him/her. The yo-yo spiritual life of the Israelites was truly not the abundant life that God had promised them before they entered the Promised Land. What has happened? We observed the repeated cycle of sin, servitude, supplication, and salvation. Does it sound familiar?  God forbid!

The first Judge was Othniel (Lion of God), as we saw was related to the godly Caleb by birth – his uncle, who brought peace to Israel for forty years after defeating Mesopotamians. Being related to Caleb, he learned the godly habits of trust, courage, obedience, and steadfastness in the truth. 

The bible records that “the Spirit of the LORD came upon him” (Judges 3:10a). He married Caleb’s daughter who had the same upbringing and therefore follow the same principles of life. Othniel was an old man when he was called to deliver Israel. 

The second Judge God raised was Ehud. His name means “unity, powerful”. He is a left-handed Benjamite whom the LORD raised to deliver the Israelites from Moabite oppression (Judges 3:15). 

Ehud knew his calling, he was not overcome by his weakness but he prepared himself and the children of Israel well to counter the oppressing forces of the Moabites and courageously launched out into the task assigned to him, succeeding with God’s help to subdue the Moabites giving to Israel 80 years of peace. 

  • Every Weakness Under God Is a Strength

The Bible described Ehud as a man restricted or bounded of his right hand, a handicap, therefore he is a left-hander. This is an interesting fact for God chose to use a man despite his weakness. Do you have some weakness that you feel embarrassed about so that you feel hindered by that particular handicap? Do not be! Our Master Potter made each one of us perfect to reflect His glory. Our weaknesses are given to us so that we will not give glory to our beauty and our achievements but to humble us that we may know how to acknowledge God. 

The Apostle Paul was given a thorn in the flesh in order to humble him so that he will depend on God and not his own strength, so that he can be a useful instrument for God. He testified in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet (denoting painful attacks from illness or adverse circumstances – buffet, afflict, cause difficulty) me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

The qualification for discipleship is not my ability but my availability and “God-ability”, submissiveness to God’s Word or instructions, courage even at great personal sacrifice, and risk of one’s life to accomplish God’s will.

14 So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.

Ehud personally sent the tribute to Eglon, the king of Moab who oppressed Israel for 18 long years (Judges 3:14) with the plan of assassinating him. A most dangerous mission. 

17 And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man.

Notice that the king of Moab was a very fat man (Judges 3:17). He has been living exacting heavy taxes, oppressing the children of Israel.

16 But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.

Ehud specially designs and make a dagger that will fit under his clothing on his right thigh. And because of his handicap, he was unsuspected and the king of Moab lowered his guard to allow him to get close to him. 

19 But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him. 20 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.

Notice also that he returned again after leaving Moab, leaving his entourage and was alone to deliver a secret errand which he said is from God to the king (Judges 3:19-20). The king was enjoying himself in his summer house, a time when his guard would be down.

21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly: 22 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.

Ehud had the audience of the king alone, who dismissed all his servants. He thrust the dagger through the king, with the blade and handle stuck in the belly. 

23 Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them.

He even had the key of the reception room or parlour to lock it so that the servants of the king were oblivious of the plight that has befallen the king. 

24 When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber. 25 And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.

It was this time that enabled him to escape. When the king’s servants finally opened the door to the king, Ehud had already made his escape.

26 And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.

Ehud displayed great courage, risking his own life to accomplish the task that God has raised him for. He planned the entire process very well, having had knowledge of the king’s palace when he first brought the tribute to the king.

27 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. 28 And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over. 29 And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man.

Having escaped and signaled with a war cry to the children of Israel to complete the task of driving out their oppressors by blowing a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, he led the children of Israel to fight and destroy the Moabite army of ten thousand valiant men. 

30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.

That one victory gave to Israel 80 years of peace from the oppression of the Moabites.

  • Pertinent Lessons

What are the lessons that we can learn from Ehud in his mission trip with God leading him?

(1) God can use us despite our known weakness. Do not despise ourselves, God made every one of His children perfect in His sight for His glory to fulfill a good purpose for our lives. May we realize that!!

(2) Ehud was raised or called of God to the task that God has purposed for his life to be the 2nd Judge of Israel. He knew his calling and he submitted himself fully to fulfill it.

Application: Do you know what your gifts are? Have you asked the Lord in prayer to show you? How can you know what are your gifts? 

(3) Ehud spared no effort to prepare himself for the task God has called him to do. It can be observed when he made the double-edged dagger that fits him exactly so that it is hidden from sight allowing him to carry it into the palace. He was given the wisdom by God to make a second trip alone to accomplish the task of the assassination.

Application: Have you been equipping yourself for the service of God in the area that he has called you to do? One basic preparation for every Christian is in the study of God’s Word. Unless we know the Word of God well and live it in our lives, we cannot be useful instruments for Him. 

(4) Ehud led by example. He was willing to risk his life for the most dangerous task of assassinating the king. He was courageous and was not fearful, carrying out the task bravely. He later led in the battle to drive the Moabite out of Israel. He was willing to launch out into the deep (Luke 5:4) as Jesus commanded His disciples.

Application: God has called all of us to the task of being His witness before His 2nd Coming. Are you actively witnessing as Noah did in the days before the flood came? Or are you like Lot, lost in the deceitfulness of riches and the vainglory of this world? He has given to us the unfinished commission. He has given us the task to complete it. What are you doing about it? 

Will you be God-focused, Christ-centered, Bible-based, Spirit-Led, and Mission-Minded? Trusting God for your life, not just grow old, but grow up, be matured in Christ. Many today are led astray by the attractions of this world. Sin is pleasurable. Many have gone the way of the world. We cannot stop the tide but we can, as the Lord enables, rescue the individuals that are being drifted along by the tide of this world.

Dr. John Sung had a vision of perishing souls on “Thanksgiving Day, 1922, in the home of a Christian friend who lived at Smithville, Ohio that he had an unforgettable experience. In the visions of the night, in a most unusual dream, he saw himself back in Hinghwa his beloved home country. He saw himself standing on the hill he was wont to climb. Below was the river that flowed to the sea he knew well. Suddenly he heard a cry from the river, a cry of sore distress. He flew down in the flash of a second, for there was a man drowning in the swift-flowing water. But when he tried to render help, he found himself in danger of drowning instead. Whereupon he negotiated a firm place to plant his feet, which turned out to be a cross anchored in midstream. Sure of foot, he began to rescue the drowning man. Not only him, but a long line of others, and so many more that they could not be counted. Suddenly, the river scene changed. Shang Chieh was now transported to Heaven. A throng gathered around him who clasped his hands gratefully for his help, praising God! Sung realized that this is an allegory of his future ministry, and related it to his audience whenever he went preaching.” (John Sung, My Teacher by Rev Dr Timothy Tow, page 61).

The souls of the people around us your brothers, and sisters are precious in the sight of God. If they pass from this world without Christ, their eternal destiny is in everlasting hellfire. But if they are in Christ, remember the vision that Dr John Sung had in heaven, when the men and women came to praise God and thank him for sharing the gospel with them. Has the Lord sent you on a mission trip for dying souls?

May we learn from Judge Ehud. Ehud knew his calling, he was not overcome by his weakness but he prepared himself and the children of Israel well to counter the oppressing forces of the Moabites and courageously and sacrificially launched out into the task assigned to him, succeeding with God’s help to subdue the Moabites giving to Israel 80 years of peace.

How can we be successful in serving God on a mission he assigned for us?

(1) Know our calling as a Christian to be His witness

(2) Be not discouraged by your weaknesses, but

(3) Know your gifts, discover, develop and mature them. 

(4) You can discover them as you actively serve Him. Most important for every Christian, is to know the Word of God and assimilate it in our lives. 

(5) Courageously and sacrificially serve Him.

Investing yourself and your life in the things that will last forever is a worthwhile investment. The investment of bringing souls to Christ and nurturing them to bring others too will reap everlasting rewards. May we at the 2nd coming of Christ receive the rewards from our Master for the labour that he has called all of us to do.

Let me introduce you to a chorus used by Jonathan Goforth of Canada, a missionary to China who survived with his family the Boxer Rebellion. They were delivered from a mob who attacked them with swords and stones, all surviving by the miraculous hand of God protecting them. 

Lord Crucified

Lord crucified, give me a heart like thine;

Teach me to love the dying souls of men;

And keep my heart in closest touch with Thee;

And give me love, pure Calvary love, 

To bring the lost to Thee.

CONCLUSION

May the Lord bless our devotion to Him. Amen.