God’s Assassin!

“Then the sons of Israel cried to Yahweh, and Yahweh raised up a savior for them, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man.” Judges 3:15

 Judges 3 could have inspired many a spy novel. The story of Ehud is the story of God’s assassin. Ehud served as the second judge of Israel following Othniel. After Othniel’s death, the people of Israel sinned and fell to the King of Moab, serving him for 18 years (Judges 3:13–14). When the Israelites cried out for help, God sent Ehud to serve as judge over His people.

In Judges 3:16, we are given some details pertinent to Ehud’s mission. Ehud was from the tribe of Benjamin, the son of Gera, and the Bible tells us he was left handed. This is a very important detail to his mission as God’s assassin. Ehud made himself a double-edged sword, about 16 inches long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes, then visited the Moabites’ King Eglon under the pretense of paying a tribute. When Ehud was checked for weapons, his small sword was missed as it was in an unexpected location. Then, after giving the King his tribute, Ehud made up an excuse to see the King alone. He said, “I have a secret message for you,    O king.” The King sent everyone out, and Ehud approached   the King and said, “I have a message from God for you.” The King rose from his seat to hear, and Ehud took out his sword and thrust it into the fat belly of the King. Judges 3:21-23 describes the event, “Then Ehud sent forth his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. The handle also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not draw the sword out of his belly; and the refuse came out. Then Ehud went out Into the vestibule and shut the doors of the roof chamber behind him and locked them.”

Because of the assassination, God brought peace to His people and destruction to the Moabites. Judges 3:28-30 tells us the end of the story, Ehud went to his people, “Then he said to them, “Pursue them, for Yahweh has given your enemies the Moabites into your hands.” So they went down after him and captured the fords of the Jordan opposite Moab and did not allow anyone to cross. And they struck down at that time about 10,000 Moabites, all robust and valiant men; and no one escaped. So Moab was subdued  that day under the hand of Israel. And the land was quiet for eighty years.

One might say that Ehud being a lefty is incidental. However, God created Him as a lefty to be used for the very purpose of being God’s assassin. Christian, He has made you just the way you are to be used by Him. You are unique and gifted by God in order to bring Him glory. In this story of God’s assassin, we are reminded once again of His sovereignty and mercy for those who love and fear Him.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark