Sermon Transcript:

As we come to the third chapter of Judges, we're confronted yet again with the recurring theme of Israel's wavering faith and God's gracious salvation through unexpected means. Once again Israel has fallen away, and God has delivered Israel into the hands of an enemy to bring her to repentance. And again, he accomplishes this through an unlikely hero, pointing to himself as the true deliverer.

Ehud’s assassination of king Eglon is among the most graphic and disturbing stories in the Bible. It makes some people uncomfortable, but make no mistake, this is a love story. This is the story of God’s justice and his commitment to deliver his people from oppression. It is also a foreshadowing of a much greater deliverance. This battle for deliverance points to a deeper and more glorious truth– the unexpected nature of God's redemptive plan. Just as Ehud's salvation is cloaked in weakness, so is that of God in Jesus Christ.

In Jesus, we find the ultimate liberation from the grip of sin and death, a deliverance that surpasses human comprehension or expectation. In the cross, what appeared to be defeat becomes the triumph of redemption, offering freedom from oppression and peace with God. He does this with great patience to a people that have not earned it and yet he remains faithful to his promises.

God's ways are often mysterious and unexpected. He does things in such a way that make it plain that he alone could possibly be responsible so that our hearts are reoriented to him. As we reflect on our passage this morning, the main point I want you to consider is that

God works in unexpected ways to bring salvation to his people.

We will begin at verse 12, 

12 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the Lord.

Under Othneil the people had 40 years of rest, but as is the case throughout the book, this is followed by another cycle of falling away. This time God raises up one of the kings of Moab to discipline them and the oppression will last even longer than last time. God raises up King Eglon and then verse 13 says,

13 He gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amalekites, and went and defeated Israel. And they took possession of the city of palms. 14 And the people of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.

The Moabites, Ammonites, and Amalekites are all people who lived in and around Israel that often cause significant difficulty for the Jews. They were neighbors and were even distantly related to the Jews but were often counted among their enemies. These peoples were controversial from their very beginnings. The Moabites and Ammonites are descended from Abraham’s nephew Lot.

Remember, Lot was living in Sodom and Gomorrah and God sends angels to rescue him from the judgment coming upon those cities. Shortly after being spared the judgment of those towns, Genesis 19 records that Lot’s daughters were concerned they couldn’t find suitable husbands to give them children. In response, they take turns getting their father drunk and sleeping with him. They both end up getting pregnant by their father. Moab, from whom the Moabites are descended, is the son of the older daughter and Ben-Ammon, from whom the Ammonites are descended is the son of the younger daughter.

The third group, the Amalekites are descended from Amelek, who was the grandson of Israel’s brother Esau. The Amalekites tried to block the Hebrews from entering the promised land as they left Egypt, and they often pop up at key times throughout the Old Testament to cause problems for Israel. For example, king Agag, who ended up costing Saul the throne was an Amalekite. So was Haman, the advisor who tried to have all the Jews killed in the book of Esther.

The promise had come from Abraham to Isaac and then to Jacob and his sons from whom the 12 tribes are descended. Because of their unfaithfulness to the covenant, Israel is now brought into disgrace by being put under the thumb of their distant cousins who have disgraceful origins. 

King Eglon was able to forge an alliance between these enemies of Israel that was strong enough to subdue them for 18 years and he took possession of the city of palms. The city of palms is Jericho, the same city that Joshua destroyed when God miraculously knocked down all the walls after having the people march around it. So, this is another hint at both how far Israel had fallen and of God’s faithfulness to keep his promises. Jericho was not to be rebuilt and the fact that it was shows the decline in Israel. But it also hints that Eglon is a cursed man because after the Jews conquered Jericho, Joshua 6:26 says,

26 Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, “Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. “At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates.”

We don’t know if Eglon was the one to rebuild the city, but by making it the seat of his power, he certainly re-establishes it as a stumbling block in Israel receiving what was promised. Through the power of his alliance, Eglon ruled over them for 18 years.

***[Correction: 1 Kings 16:34 tells us that it was Hiel who rebuilt Jericho. "In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun." The point remians, however, that it was foreboding that an enemy of Israel had taken up a stronghold in the rebuilt city."

15 Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.

Once again, the people cry out and once again, God raises up for them a deliverer. Ehud, the son of Gera.

As we are introduced to Ehud, we already have a few clues that capture our attention and show that something unexpected is about to happen. We are told that Ehud is a Benjaminite, that he is left-handed, and that he is the one who delivered the tribute payments to king Eglon. This is not the expected pedigree of a mighty judge. Ehud is an unexpected deliverer.

First, he is a Benjaminite. After the first few chapters we don’t have very high expectations for the tribe of Benjamin. Second, it says he was left-handed. What is funny is the name Benjamin means “Son of the right hand”, so he is a left-handed son of the right hand. We don’t know if he is naturally left handed. Some have suggested his right hand may have been lame since Eglon and the guards don’t see him as a threat.

But that is speculation. Benjaminites may have been genetically disposed to left-handedness at birth, but the trait may also have been encouraged in soldiers to give them a strategic advantage in combat—somewhat like left-handed baseball pitchers today. I say that because the Bible mentions left-handed soldiers a few times and in every case, they are Benjaminites. In any case, even at that time being left-handed was less common and thus not immediately expected and Ehud was capable and effective with his left hand. 

A lot has been made regarding his left-handedness, but the most interesting thing that stands out to me that makes him an unlikely deliverer is that he is the one who oversaw bringing the tribute payments. The act of paying tribute is an acknowledgement of defeat and weakness. Only those who are weak and defeated pay tribute so the person who delivers the tribute payments is essentially an ambassador of weakness and servitude.

This savior that God raised up isn’t a great warrior gathering an army of freedom fighters, but the man who is the official representative of Israel’s humiliation. Ultimately it will not be the left hand of Ehud, but the right hand of God that will deliver the people. The emphasis of this verse is that “the Lord raised up for them a deliverer”. Ehud is a surprising and unexpected deliverer but he succeeds because God worked through him. Verse 16 says,

16 And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length, and he bound it on his right thigh under his clothes.

He makes a short double-edged sword that he carries on his right side. The kings’ guards would expect a sword on the left side, where most people would carry it, but being left-handed Ehud was able to conceal the weapon where it would not be visible but he would be able to easily access it.

17 And he presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Eglon was a very fat man. 18 And when Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who carried the tribute. 19 But he himself turned back at the idols near Gilgal and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.”

Eglon is a very fat man. He is the textbook picture of oppression and greed getting fat in his palace off the suffering of God’s people. We can imagine the contrast between this morbidly obese warlord, being waited on hand and foot, and the average Israeli farmer or herder struggling to feed himself and his family. As the people of God suffer, the pagan king lives high on the hog.

But God is not blind to the oppression of his people. Neither is he blind to the oppression and injustice in the world today. Eventually, those who try to prosper through unrighteousness will be called to account. Many cry out today against those who abuse their power to get rich and indulge their pleasures. Many ask why they prosper and the godly suffer. Brothers and sisters, the Bible assures us that God will judge righteously. The cross is not only a testimony to the love of God, but to his justice. Injustice and oppression will be judged.

Though God is patient, this pagan king will not get away with what he has done. The name Eglon means calf. This idolatrous king thinks he is prospering in his wickedness, but he is actually a calf being fattened for slaughter.

Ehud and his group deliver the tribute and then withdraw. The others continued on, but Ehud turned back at the idols near Gilgal. The word translated “idols” literally means “carved stones” and is always used of pagan idols. But for any Hebrew, the mention of stones near Gilgal would bring to mind something else.

Most people know Israel crossed through the sea on their way out of Egypt, but God also stopped the flow of the Jordan river so they could enter the promised land. They walked through the river just as they had the sea earlier.  After that happened, Joshua had them setup a monument of stones to remember the occasion. Joshua 4:20–22 says,

20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 21 And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’

The fact that there were idols at Gilgal, where they crossed the Jordan by God’s power is telling. This place was supposed to be a place of remembrance for Yahweh’s miraculous deliverance and yet now there were idols to false gods there. Rather than cross over with the others, when Ehud reaches this place, he turns around and goes back to the king and tells him he has a secret message for him. What happens next highlights the foolish arrogance of the king.

And he commanded, “Silence.” And all his attendants went out from his presence. 20 And Ehud came to him as he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber. And Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you.” And he arose from his seat.

Eglon senses no threat, and he orders all his servants and guards out. We don’t know what arrogance or pride led the king to be so foolish. Perhaps he expected some kind of oracle and didn’t want anyone else to hear it. We don’t know if it was custom or if Eglon was excited, but when Ehud tells him he has a message from God, he lumbers to his feet.

We feel the irony in Ehud’s statement because we know what is coming, but Eglon is oblivious. He is as his name suggests, a dumb ox. How often it is the case that the wicked think they will receive blessing from God because they misunderstand his patience for acceptance and his mercy for weakness. Apart from Christ all those who have done wickedness, including us, will receive only what we have earned, and that should be a sobering thought.

This morning God is offering a message of grace and forgiveness through Jesus. Seek no other gifts or blessings from God until you have received that one by faith. But Eglon wants to hear from God, and so he will.

21 And Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. 22 And the hilt also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not pull the sword out of his belly; and the dung came out.

Facing the imposing figure of Eglon, Ehud executes his move with lethal precision. With a swift motion, he unsheathes his sword and drives it deep into Eglon's abdomen with such violent force that the blade, from tip to hilt, vanishes into the king's massive belly. The layers of fat close in over the weapon, enveloping it completely as if swallowing it whole, and Ehud must wrench his hand free from the disgusting embrace of the gelatinous wound, leaving the sword entombed within Eglon's body. The trauma is so great that Eglon loses control of his bowels, and he soils himself as he falls to the floor with a thud, collapsed in his own blood and filth.

God’s chosen people had trembled and groaned before this proud man, but before God’s chosen deliverer he is shown to be nothing more than a puffed-up fool. A fat calf who was full of … (stuff).

23 Then Ehud went out into the porch and closed the doors of the roof chamber behind him and locked them. 24 When he had gone, the servants came, and when they saw that the doors of the roof chamber were locked, they thought, “Surely he is relieving himself in the closet of the cool chamber.” 25 And they waited till they were embarrassed. But when he still did not open the doors of the roof chamber, they took the key and opened them, and there lay their lord dead on the floor.

Ehud uses the situation to his advantage to allow more time to escape. He locks the door and the servants, smelling his filth, think he is relieving himself and so they wait, wondering what is taking him so long. It says they waited until they were embarrassed, allowing Ehud to get further away. Finally, they open the door and realize what has happened. Verse 26 says,

26 Ehud escaped while they delayed, and he passed beyond the idols and escaped to Seirah. 27 When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim.

The confusion at the palace gives Ehud enough time to get back past Gilgal where he can alert the people to prepare for battle.

Then the people of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he was their leader. 28 And he said to them, “Follow after me, for the Lord has given your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they went down after him and seized the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites and did not allow anyone to pass over. 29 And they killed at that time about 10,000 of the Moabites, all strong, able-bodied men; not a man escaped. 30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest for eighty years.

Assassinating Eglon is an act of war and the Moabites intend to decisively respond. They assembled a large force to punish Israel, but by the time they were able to make it to the Jordan river, the Israelites had already taken up positions near the fords so they could not easily cross over. This strategic position allowed Israel to kill 10,000 of the best Moabite men, completely wiping out the force that responded.

God once again delivered his people. The violence of this episode makes many uncomfortable but although it is disturbing, it reminds us that God is a warrior God. He is committed to protecting his people and keeping his promises. We must remember that the Moabites were not innocent. They were the oppressors and God waited patiently for 18 years before raising up Ehud.

Whenever bad things happen to God’s people the question is often asked, “why does God allow this? What is God doing while his people suffer?” The answer the Bible gives is that God has not abandoned his people and he is not indifferent to their suffering. There will be a day when every account is settled and all who do iniquity will receive justice. God’s name will be vindicated, and God’s people will be healed, rewarded, and raised to glory.

Sometimes, as in this case, God will send a down payment on deliverance by rescuing us from earthly troubles but even when he sees fit to allow trials to be lasting, we know they are not everlasting. We know that God loves us and that he is working all things together for those who love him. Whatever discomfort we may experience now, we can be sure that there is a loving purpose in it for his people.

Remember our main point:

God works in unexpected ways to bring salvation to his people.

We must be careful about judging things based on their initial appearances. It often pleases God to bring victory out of what looks like defeat and blessing out of what looks like troubles. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God is at work in your life right now. He is working through every one of your experiences to bring you to glory. God’s deliverance of his people through Ehud points us to his greater deliverance through Jesus and reminds us that God works out his plan of salvation in very unexpected ways.

Perhaps you are suffering or facing difficult challenges. Allow those trials to draw you away from the treasures of this world and closer to the treasures of the next. Hear the voice of God calling to you to find peace the world cannot know because it is beyond understanding. Believer, know that God loves you and is working all things for your good. James 1:2–4 says,

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Or perhaps you are struggling with a besetting sin this morning and are feeling your weakness and inadequacy before God. This too is grace, for God wants us to know our inadequacy so that we will depend upon his strength for our deliverance. Through Christ God has given us a spirit of repentance and of freedom. God does not forgive our sins so that we may continue in them. He forgives and removes them so they no longer define us. Being no longer enslaved, defeated, and condemned by them, we are free. Not free to continue in sin, but free to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Hebrews 4:15–16 says,

 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Maybe you are not yet a believer in Jesus and are trying to understand what all this is about. Understand that God does not work the way you would expect him to. We cannot earn God’s favor and we cannot avoid God’s judgment, but God provided a way for us to be saved through his son Jesus. Like Israel’s unfaithfulness brought them under the rule of cruel Eglon, so too our unfaithfulness brought us under the rule of the prince of darkness. But just as God raised up a deliverer for Israel, he also raised up a deliverer from sin and darkness.

We have all sinned, but God sent his son Jesus who lived a perfect, sinless life. Then in an act of amazing grace, he offered himself in our place as a sacrifice for sin. He took upon himself the sins of everyone who would ever trust him and was crucified on a cross. It was through this act of seeming defeat that he strikes a mortal blow to the enemy of our souls. Like foolish Eglon, excited to hear Ehud’s message, Satan must have smiled to see Jesus being nailed to that cross. It must have seemed like he was on the verge of a great victory as he entered Judas to betray our Lord. But God works in unexpected ways to bring salvation to his people.

Ehud was not from the most honorable tribe or family, and he was left handed. It was his job to bring the tribute payment, the very act that exhibited the humiliation of his people. But God turned that into deliverance. In the same way, Jesus Christ going to the cross may have seemed to be a defeat, but it was the greatest deliverance in all of history. It was the deliverance that all God’s people had yearned for since Adam fell.

Each nail driven into the cross through the flesh of our savior was another nail sealing the doom of our enemy. The foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of the world which is why Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that if the powers of this age had understood these things, they would not have crucified Jesus. The world cannot perceive the glory in the cross of Christ. They do not understand a God who reveals his strength in weakness but brothers and sisters, it is my hope that each of us will be given eyes to see the wisdom, patience, and grace of God in providing deliverance for us through Jesus.

Ehud reminds us that it is God who saves and that he does so in ways that only he can. He does so in ways that leave no doubt for those with eyes to see that God is great. A day is coming when the power and glory of God will no longer be hidden. I pray that by faith, you rejoice even now with confidence in that great work of salvation God has accomplished through Jesus Christ.

I would like to finish today by prayerfully reflecting on Paul’s desire for his brothers and sisters to know and be strengthened in the knowledge of God’s saving power. Ephesians 1:16–23,

16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.