Ehud: The Left-Handed Judge – June 15, 2025
Pastor Jeremy Mayol
Judges 3:12-30 (CSB)
12 The Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel, because they had done what was evil in the Lord’s sight. 13 After Eglon convinced the Ammonites and the Amalekites to join forces with him, he attacked and defeated Israel and took possession of the City of Palms. 14 The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab 18 years. 15 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjaminite, as a deliverer for them. The Israelites sent him to Eglon king of Moab with tribute. 16 Ehud made himself a double-edged sword 18 inches long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes 17 and brought the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was an extremely fat man. 18 When Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he dismissed the people who had carried it. 19 At the carved images near Gilgal he returned and said, “King [Eglon], I have a secret message for you.” The king called for silence, and all his attendants left him. 20 Then Ehud approached him while he was sitting alone in his room upstairs [where it was] cool. Ehud said, “I have a word from God for you,” and the king stood up from his throne. 21 Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly. 22 Even the handle went in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And Eglon’s insides came out. 23 Ehud escaped by way of the porch, closing and locking the doors of the upstairs room behind him. 24 Ehud was gone when Eglon’s servants came in. They looked and found the doors of the upstairs room locked and thought he was relieving himself in the cool room. 25 The servants waited until they became worried and saw that he had still not opened the doors of the upstairs room. So they took the key and opened the doors-and there was their lord lying dead on the floor! 26 Ehud escaped while the servants waited. He crossed over [the Jordan] near the carved images and reached Seirah. 27 After he arrived, he sounded the ram’s horn throughout the hill country of
Ephraim. The Israelites came down with him from the hill country, and he became their leader. 28 He told them, “Follow me, because the Lord has handed over your enemies, the Moabites, to you.” So they followed him, captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and did not allow anyone to cross over. 29 At that time they struck down about 10,000 Moabites, all strong and ablebodied men. Not one of them escaped. 30 Moab became subject to Israel that day, and the land was peaceful 80 years.
Four Thoughts About God’s Design for You
1. Sometimes the worst thing about you becomes the best thing from God.
Judges 3:15 (CSB)
15 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjaminite, as a deliverer for them. The Israelites sent him to Eglon king of Moab with tribute. Benjamin: son of the right hand or right-handed son
2. Your life may take time to develop.
Judges 3:14 (CSB)
14 The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab 18 years.
Psalm 27:14 (CSB)
14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.
3. You’ll need to step out of your comfort zone.
Judges 3:16-26 (CSB)
16 Ehud made himself a double-edged sword eighteen inches long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes 17 and brought the tribute to King Eglon of Moab, who was an extremely fat man. 18 When Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he dismissed the people who had carried it. 19 At the carved images near Gilgal he returned and said, “King Eglon, I have a secret message for you.” The king said, “Silence!” and all his attendants left him. 20 Then Ehud approached him while he was sitting alone in his upstairs room where it was cool. Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you,” and the king stood up from his throne. 21 Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly. 22 Even the handle went in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And the waste came out. 23 Ehud escaped by way of the porch, closing and locking the doors of the upstairs room behind him. 24 Ehud was gone when Eglon’s servants came in. They looked and found the doors of the upstairs room locked and thought he was relieving himself in the cool room. 25 The servants waited until they became embarrassed and saw that he had still not opened the doors of the upstairs room. So they took the key and opened the doors—and there was their lord lying dead on the floor! 26 Ehud escaped while the servants waited. He passed the Jordan near the carved images and reached Seirah.
2 Timothy 1:7 (CSB)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
4. Your life can bring victory for others and glory to God.
Judges 3:30 (CSB)
30 Moab became subject to Israel that day, and the land was peaceful 80 years.
John 15:8 (CSB)
8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.
Four Questions to Ask in Discovering What God’s Design is for Your Life:
1. What bothers me?
2. How do I think I’m gifted?
- What do I enjoy doing?
- What do I do well?
- How does this serve others?
3. What opportunities are in front of me?
4. Am I willing to take a risk?
If you said YES, click HERE.
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