Ehud: The Second Judge
We continue our study with the Book of Judges by moving further into Chapter 3. We are following a six-week Bible Study by Katie M. Reid entitled, “God, What Do I do?” This study is based on the Book of Judges, Chapters 1-5, and we are digging into what these lessons teach us about making wise decisions in uncertain times.
Yesterday, we read about Othniel [the first judge] and how God’s Spirit moved and empowered him to victoriously fight Israel’s enemy. Today, we will meet Ehud and how God used him when Israel once again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and were ready to give up. Yet, knowing to obey God is always the right thing to do.
Today, we are studying Judges 3:12-23 and our focus is, “God, What Do I Do When I Want to Give Up?”
Life presents some very interesting experiences, but one thing is always present for the believer; we have an enemy who wants us to quit the fight of faith. Like Israel, apart from the Lord, we are powerless to press on when all hell comes against us…against us living the Truth. A decision must be made and we pray it is a wise one.
Developing trust and endurance when facing spiritual battles is essential if we are going to move in alignment with God’s will, because He is always going to work to make us more and more mature in the character of Christ. We must be covered by the Spirit to take dominion over the enemy. Daily, we must make righteous decisions as we move forward with the resolve to stand alone if necessary [without compromise]. Never forget our God is a constant help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Wednesday night we talked about the battlefield of the mind; Satan’s favorite place of attack. The soul—mind, will, emotions—is where decisions are made. What we think about steers our lives. We need the Spirit to guide us away from lies and into Truth. We must take our wrong thoughts captive and bring them into obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). We must train our minds for battle by focusing on what is true and righteous (Philippians 4:8).
Judges 3:12-23 NLT Ehud Becomes Israel’s Judge
12 Once again the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight, and the Lord gave King Eglon of Moab control over Israel because of their evil. 13 Eglon enlisted the Ammonites and Amalekites as allies, and then he went out and defeated Israel, taking possession of Jericho, the city of palms. 14 And the Israelites served Eglon of Moab for eighteen years.
15 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. The Israelites sent Ehud to deliver their tribute money to King Eglon of Moab. 16 So Ehud made a double-edged dagger that was about a foot long, and he strapped it to his right thigh, keeping it hidden under his clothing. 17 He brought the tribute money to Eglon, who was very fat.
18 After delivering the payment, Ehud started home with those who had helped carry the tribute. 19 But when Ehud reached the stone idols near Gilgal, he turned back. He came to Eglon and said, “I have a secret message for you.”
So the king commanded his servants, “Be quiet!” and he sent them all out of the room.
20 Ehud walked over to Eglon, who was sitting alone in a cool upstairs room. And Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you!” As King Eglon rose from his seat, 21 Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled out the dagger strapped to his right thigh, and plunged it into the king’s belly. 22 The dagger went so deep that the handle disappeared beneath the king’s fat. So Ehud did not pull out the dagger, and the king’s bowels emptied. 23 Then Ehud closed and locked the doors of the room and escaped down the latrine.
Ehud did as the Lord commanded and it took great courage. It will take great courage and endurance for us to stand against the invisible enemy in our minds. Each of us are given assignments from the Lord and we must follow-through in His strength and take dominion and bring peace to the chaos.
Truth: When you want to give up, decide to strengthen your resolve to endure with faithful thoughts and courageous actions.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for this lesson about Ehud and how he took a stand in Your strength and power to take down the enemy that was stopping the spiritual growth, maturity, and purpose of Your people. We pray for our hearts, Lord, because life brings oppressive pressure to conform to the world when You have called us to stand in Truth. If we must stand alone, please be with us; strength us, fill us with courage, and help us defeat the enemy of our souls by the sword of the Spirit—applying Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.