THE SECRET WEAPON
TEXT: JUDGES 3:12-20
BY: Adeoye, Emmanuel (Evang.)
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EGLON, THE OPPRESSOR (VV. 12-14).
The armies of Mesopotamia came a long distance to invade Israel; but the Moabites, Ammonites, and Amalekites were not only neighbours but also relatives of the Jews. Lot, the nephew of Abraham, was the ancestor of Moab and Ammon (Gen 19:30-38); and Esau, the brother of Jacob, was the ancestor of Amalek (Gen 36:12,16; Deut 25:17,19)..
Eglon, the King of Moab, organized the confederacy and set up his headquarters at Jericho, “the city of palm trees” (Deut 34:3). Jericho was under a curse (Josh 6:26), and there’s no evidence that the city had been rebuilt; but the location was ideal for directing military operations, and there was an abundance of water there. FOR EIGHTEEN YEARS, EGLON AND HIS ALLIES MADE LIFE MISERABLE FOR THE JEWS. It must have been especially galling to them to be under the heels of blood relatives who were also their longtime adversaries.
EHUD BECAME THE DELIVERER; Othniel, the first judge, had come from the tribe of Judah. The second judge, Ehud, a left-handed man, came from Judah’s neighbor, Benjamin-the name “Benjamin” means “son of my right hand.” (The Benjamites were known for their ambidexterity. “a man handicapped in the right hand,” which suggests that he was not ambidextrous at all but able to use only his left hand.
If that indeed is the meaning of the text, then Ehud’s plan for killing Eglon was a masterpiece of strategy. It’s also a great encouragement to people with physical disabilities who may have the erroneous idea that God can’t use them in His service.
Ehud had several problems to solve, and he solved them successfully. At the top of the list was how to gain access to King Eglon without making anybody suspicious.
He accomplished this by making himself the leader of the commission that brought the king his annual tribute.
The paying of tribute not only added to the king’s wealth, which he would enjoy, but it also acknowledged the king’s authority over Israel; and Eglon would enjoy that as well. Of course, Eglon didn’t know that Ehud was God’s appointed leader to deliver Israel; otherwise, he would have had him killed on sight.
The second problem was securing a private audience with the king without exciting the distrust of his attendants and guards. Ehud did this first by leaving the king’s presence together with his men after they had done homage to Eglon, and then Ehud coming back later alone as though he had an urgent message for the king. A solitary man with a lame right hand couldn’t be much of a threat to a powerful king, and perhaps this despised Jew really did have a word from his God.
Eglon may have felt proud that the God of Israel had a message for him; and since he was no doubt afraid not to listen to it, he dismissed his guards and attendants and gave Ehud a personal interview in his private chambers.
Since Ehud had to kill Eglon in a way that was quick and quiet and that would catch the king by surprise, he made use of his disability. Ehud made a very sharp dagger and hid it under his clothing on his right side.
Even if the guards frisked him, they would most likely examine the left side of his body where most men carried their weapons. Seeing that he was a handicapped man, they probably didn’t examine him at all.
Even a king must stand to receive a message from God. When Eglon stood, Ehud may have gestured with his right hand to distract him and show him there was nothing in his hand; and then Ehud reached for his dagger and plunged it into the fat king’s body. It must have been a powerful thrust because the point of the dagger came out the king’s back; and Eglon was dead instantly.
The next problem was how to escape from the palace without getting caught, and this he accomplished by locking the door of the private chamber and delaying the discovery of the corpse. As Ehud hastened away, the attendants concluded that the interview was over; so they went to see if their king wanted anything. All of this took time and gave Ehud opportunity to escape.
His final problem was to rally the troops and attack the enemy. The trumpet signal called the men out, and he led them to the fords of the Jordan, assuring them that the Lord had given Moab into their hands. The victory would come by trusting the Lord and not by depending on their own strength.
Ehud had excellent soldiers to command. Accordingly, they killed 10,000 of the best Moabite soldiers.
Not only was Moab defeated, but also the tables were turned, and the Moabites became subject to Israel. We assume that Moab’s defeat was the signal for their allies, Ammon and Amalek, to leave the field of battle.
If the Jews had been asked to vote on a leader, Ehud probably would have lost on the first ballot. But he was God’s choice, and God used him to set the nation free. Moses was slow of speech and Paul was not imposing in his appearance, but Moses and Paul, like Ehud, were men of faith who led others to victory. Ehud turned a disability into a possibility because he depended on the Lord.
THE POWER OF INGENUITY AND PREPARATION
Ehud did not wait idly for God to drop eglon, he actively planned his deliverance. He crafted a custom 18 inches sword and strategically planned how to approach the king. This illustrate that faith and prayer should be paired with proactive , deliberate and practical preparation
THE CRY OF THE OPPRESSED (vv. 12-14): Israel’s recurring sin leads to servitude under King Eglon of Moab. This illustrates how our disobedience often results in slavery to worldly strongholds, yet God hears the cries of the repentant.
THE UNLIKELY DELIVERER (VV. 15-16):
Enter Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. In ancient times, a left-handed man was often overlooked or viewed as physically limited (handicapped in his right hand). Yet, God uses our perceived weaknesses and atypical traits for His glory.
THE SECRET MESSAGE AND THE SACRIFICE
(VV. 17-20):
Ehud crafts a double-edged sword and hides it on his right thigh, going past security using his unique left-handedness. He risks his life to deliver A “Secret Message” From God, Demonstrating Active, Daring Obedience.
KEY APPLICATION POINTS
God uses the ordinary, and even the “disqualified” by human standards, to accomplish His ultimate purposes.
Deliverance often requires stepping into the unknown and trusting in the “secret messages” (the Word of God) to dismantle our personal or corporate “Eglons” (sins, addictions, anxieties).
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