October 18th, 2026: An Unlikely Deliverer | Judges 3:15-23, 30

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:2-3).

The Promised Land had been mostly conquered.  The twelve tribes of Israel have been assigned their land. Joshua  died.  All the leaders around Joshua have also passed away. The next generation will step into the leadership role. 

As with each new generation there is much to learn.  They will, as many new generations often do,  forget that it was the blood, sweat,tears and obedience of their forefathers that allowed the safety and prosperity that they enjoy.    They will not be able to simply rest on the accomplishments of their fathers and grandfathers.

The new next generation will push against the “old” ways with their own ideas. Rather than continuing to fight,  they will pursue a compromised peace with the remaining pagan nations around them.  They will intermarry and find themselves worshiping false gods.  

God says an unusual thing at the beginning of Judges Chapter 3.  Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof; (Judges 3:1-2)  

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.

Despite the arrogance of the next generation, they find themselves in bondage to their enemies.  They no longer fought as their fathers had for God or the commandments given to them by Moses.  Their seemingly small compromises grew into major problems with catastrophic consequences. 

Compromise  would  not protect or bless them.  Only God could do that.  A hard lesson for all of us to learn.  When they cried unto the Lord, God sent help. Keep in mind that the Promised Land represents our christian life. Many mistakes and bad judgments occur in the christian walk. We indeed will fall captive to wrong desires, wrong ideas, and  wrong actions.  Concessions that seem minor may indeed have large consequences. God will chasten those that he loves.  We will  learn war, to fight for our souls and the souls of those around us.  Our relief will only come when we cry out to God and follow through in His instruction.  

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (James 1: 12-15)

 In His loving kindness and long suffering, God raised up Judges from among the tribes to lead the nation back to Him and to deliver them from their oppression.  In our lesson today the judge is Ehud.  All that we know about him is that he is lefthanded, the son of Gera and from the smallest tribe of Benjamin. 

 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.

Notice Ehud did not go out unprepared.  He made a two edged dagger approximately 18 inches long. That kind of dagger cuts going in and coming out. It is a seriously defensive and offensive weapon. It takes practiced skill to create and use.  

Symbolically speaking we have something even better than a two edged dagger.  We have the word of God.  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) We cannot hope to survive our testings or battles without the word of God as our weapon and  our own preparation for its use. 

And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man. And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present. 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. 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. And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly: 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. Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them.

  Moabites were the descendants of Lot.  There were many skirmishes and wars between the nations of Moab and Israel.  As the nation of Israel was coming out of Egypt, the Moabite King Balak hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel.  When this was not successful, the Moabite women enticed Israel’s men to worship Baal.  

At the time of our lesson, the Moabites had teamed up with Esau’s descendants (Amalek - Amalekites) and Ammon ( Ammonites -the other son of Lot). They had not only attacked Israel they had captured the city of Israel’s first victory in the new land.  They now possessed Jericho (city of palm trees).  Consider what a loss and insult this would have been to Joshua and the leaders of that time. 

  Israel  had been under the control of the Moabites for 18 years. Could the fame  of Israel  among the nations around them have changed.  What about the stories that once struck fear and their powerful one true God?  Has their witness on his behalf become distant or gone?  

 Israel was required to pay tribute (taxes) every year. Ehud was selected to deliver the present (taxes). Commentaries say that every man would have been searched before entering the presence of the King of Moab.  Since most men were right handed and would carry their weapons on the left side it seems logical that Ehud was not suspected since his  weapon was not on the left side.  He had hidden his dagger on his right thigh. Our lesson calls Ehud an unlikely deliverer, possibly for this reason.  

Ehud separates himself from the crowd by telling King Eglon that he has a secret, for his ears only. Once alone, Ehud shares his deadly message, locks the door to King Eglon’s private room, and escapes.  It will be a while before the Moabites will discover that their king has been murdered.  

 Blowing a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, Ehud calls all of Israel to fight. He strategically blocks Moabite escape routes.  That day 10,000 strong battle  prepared men of Moab died.  None- not one escaped. God had indeed given the victory to Israel through the faithful obedient actions of Ehud.  

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

For the next 40 years Israel was at peace from the Moabites because the people called out to God and God raised up the deliverer Ehud.  So what does that mean for us?

Our Chrisitan walk will indeed try our faith. We cannot rest on the faithfulness or salvation of our parents or grandparents.  Salvation is individual  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)    We have an advocate if we will admit we sinned.   

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1John 2:1-6). 

Pray we do not wait 18 years, as did the children of Israel,  before we cry out to God.  Repent quickly.  

 God, who is higher and wiser, sees what you do not. God has provided the necessary  weapons for our warfare.  Are you dressed and prepared for these battles?  

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:11-18). Do not become slack and less than diligent in your care of His weapons and your training.

  It is a battle and a battle we must each individually fight.  Paul said it like this: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:3-8)   Paul includes all those who love his appearance.  Whatever it is that God has called you to do, do it.  Do it in the strength, confidence and courage of Ehud. The generations to follow and those around you need to see!

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6: 6-12).

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!