Chapter 1 to 3 verse 6 set the context and gave the executive summary of the cyclical corruption of Israel after the death of Joshua. The author tells us that God had left the nations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites among the Israelites. They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord (v4). Israel failed the test. They married their children to the other nations and worshipped their gods. They did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and God handed them over to the other nations. Then Israel turned back to God and cried out to Him. Finally God raised a judge among them and brought peace upon the nation again. The book of Judges cycled around this pattern of ‘Israel did evil’ – ‘cried out to the Lord’ – ‘God raised a deliverer’ – repeat again. From chapter 3:7 to 16:31, the book of Judges recorded fifteen judges who were appointed by God, starting from Othniel and ending with Samuel as the last judge (and also as the first prophet). Except for Samuel, the downward spiral can also be seen from the characters of the others judges as they, too, increasingly compromised following the way of the Lord.

Ehud was the second judge that was recorded. There are not too many details given about him except that he was from the tribe of Benjamin and he was left handed. This detail of being a left handed man was unusual, in this passage it also can denote as deceptive. This trait helped him to take down the king of Moab, Eglon, in the narrative. He hid a forty five centimetre long blade on the right thigh under his clothes, and pretended to pay his tribute to the king. Usually during their security checks, the guard would assume that people were right handed and checked on their left hand side to ensure there were no weapons. They saw no weapon and allowed Ehud to come near to the king. Ehud then claimed to have a secret message for the king, and the king asked the other guards to leave him so Ehud could speak to him in private. The message turned out to be an assassination when Ehud whipped out the hidden knife and plunged it entirely into the belly of Eglon, which killed him. This was done in private of the roof chamber which likely meant the bathroom, and by the time the guards found out that their king was dead, Ehud had escaped.

The positive message of Ehud was his boldness and willingness to risk his life for God. This is something we can learn considering how unwilling we can be to take risks for God in sharing our faith or to stand up for righteousness and justice, for fear of being judged and cancelled in our day and age. Ehud is one who spurs us to action in these kind of situations. However, Ehud’s method of deception cannot be condoned as the ideal way of accomplishing God’s will. While deceptive methods (whether in evangelistic methods, church-growth methods, political involvements, etc.) may work, they should not be interpreted as God’s condoning of such things. As we pay attention to God and His nature, His way is the way of integrity.

Dear brothers and sisters, in the same way, walk in the way that is right and pleasing to the Lord. We may have the best intentions to serve God and to “do” His works, we cannot do it through the wrong means that are not pleasing to Him. May God give us wisdom in our handling of His works.

Prayer: Dear Lord, give us wisdom as we learn to serve you. Help us not to mistake deceptive zealousness and boldness as godliness. Help us to focus on the right means of doing things more than the end results. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.