Delighting in Deliverance
Judges 3:20-23
The difference between the success of one man and the disaster which comes to another is often found at this point: A certain unique courage and a confidence of faith are necessary for a great victory in spiritual matters.
God commanded through Moses that Israel would destroy, wipe out the unbelievers in Palestine (Deut 20:17-18). Israel did not totally obey God and God left their enemies in the land to test Israel’s obedience (Judges 3:1-4).
Israel sank into slavery for eighteen years (3:12-14). In that moment, Eglon, king of Moab, was serving as a servant of God. God wanted to discipline Israel and Moab (Eglon) was the means of disciplining them.
When you are put to the test, what do you do? Give in? Sin? God puts us to the test for the same reason: to see if we will obey Him or not; to see if we love Him supremely or not. What do you do when you are put to the test?
ISRAEL LEARNS THAT GOD CAN CONQUER ENEMIES THROUGH ONE INDIVIDUAL:
Ehud rises to save the Israelites (3:15-16), preparing himself for an unusual task! Ehud was a left-handed man. Ehud used his “talent” for the glory of God. He went to pay Eglon tribute. However, he also prepared his sword. Observe the length of the sword: a cubit! A cubit was 12-18”! Why so large?
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The Bible says that Eglon was “a very fat man” (3:17). Could Ehud beat Eglon in hand-to-hand combat? Eglon was very fat. He probably couldn’t move very rapidly. He could not run. He was not an athlete. What would Ehud do?
Ehud brings to Eglon privately a message from God (3:18-20). He drew his sword from his left side and implanted it into Eglon’s stomach! Eglon was so fat that “even the hilt went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not draw the dagger out of his belly; and his refuse came out” (3:22). Who says that the Bible is not interesting to read? Ehud worked so quietly and so quickly that Eglon did not even have the chance to cry out!
When you confront temptation, what do you do? After you reach the “pinnacle” of a spiritual experience, what do you do? After you conquer temptation, do you turn and strengthen your brethren (as Jesus told Peter to do in Luke 22:32)? What did Ehud do?
Ehud re-inspired his fellow Israelites (3:27-29). Ehud returned, not to the inheritance of the seed of Benjamin (the smallest tribe in Israel), but to the inheritance of the seed of Ephraim (the largest tribe in Israel) and he blew the trumpet. When the going gets tough, the tough get going (even alone). But Ehud was now in front, leading encouraged Israelites into battle.
Consider the messages behind Deut 31:8 and Psa 118:6. See also how the author of Hebrews added together these two verses in Hebrews 13:5-6. When the going gets tough, the tough get going (even alone). If you, personally, have trouble being bold for God, if you have trouble, personally, having the faith in God you need to be bold for Him, there are two things you can do: first, pray. Secondly, read & study more of God’s word. If faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom 10:17), faith is strengthened and sustained also by hearing the Word of God.
What was the result of Ehud’s boldness? Read Judges 3:30. What does God have in view for you? What will you do? Even if you are alone? When God puts His people to the test, those who are bold and faithful, get going.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going – even if it means going alone.
Paul Holland
