Do You Know Ehud?

Ehud¹, a lesser-known but fascinating figure from the Bible, was a left-handed judge who liberated the Israelites from a tyrannical king. As the second Judge of Israel, succeeding Othniel and preceding Deborah, Ehud is believed to have lived between 1400 and 1350 BC. His rule is documented in the Book of Judges and lasted 80 peaceful years, from approximately 1316 BC to 1237 BC. Ehud’s exceptional bravery and ingenuity led to the Israelites’ deliverance from the Moabites’ control. The Israelites had fallen into sin against God once again. For eighteen years, they endured oppression under King Eglon. When the Israelites repented and pleaded to God for assistance, they were provided a savior, Ehud.

(Judges 3:12-21)² – “Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms. Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a cubit long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man. After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way those who had carried it. But on reaching the stone images near Gilgal he himself went back to Eglon and said, ‘Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you.’ The king said to his attendants, “Leave us!” And they all left. Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his palace and said, ‘I have a message from God for you.’ As the king rose from his seat, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly.

The next verse, Judges 3:22, describes, in somewhat disgusting detail, how Elgon died. We often wonder why such detail is even included in God’s Word. Like all of God’s wisdom, it has a purpose. When someone harms God’s people, the method of justice always shocks us. Ehud ultimately accomplished this deliverance for the Israelites by deceiving and assassinating Eglon, the Moabite king. Surprisingly, our movie industry has not made a film on Ehud. You might call him the 007 of the Old Testament. Ehud started his plan by crafting a small, double-edged sword, He then concealed it on his right leg beneath his clothing. This was a strategic move, as most soldiers in that era carried their weapons on their left legs for easy access with their right hands. However, Ehud was left-handed, allowing him to keep his sword hidden.

After Ehud had killed King Eglon, he left through the porch (Judges 3:23). The servants discovered the locked doors of the upper room. They assumed their king was attending to his personal needs in the inner room of the palace. As time passed and the doors remained unopened, they grew increasingly uncomfortable. Finally, they decided to unlock the doors themselves. To their horror, they found their King lifeless on the floor. Ehud had seized this opportunity to escape. He traveled to an area called Seirah. Upon his arrival, he sounded a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, rallying the Israelites to descend from the hills and join him.

With a commanding voice, Ehud instructed, “Follow me, for the Lord has delivered Moab, our enemy, into our hands.” The Israelites heeded his call, following him down to seize control of the fords of the Jordan River leading to Moab, ensuring no one could cross over. They killed about ten thousand Moabites, all robust and powerful warriors. Not one Moabite warrior managed to escape. On that day, the battle was decisive and roles were reversed. Moab was subjugated under Israel. The land enjoyed peace for the next eighty years.

Ehud’s story, as told in the Book of Judges, often surprises people due to the deceit and violence he used to execute his plan. History shows that even God has enemies in our world. If we are to read the Word of God, its content will not only uncover murder, but crimes of every type imaginable. Our world is broken. It’s important to understand that Ehud acted under God’s direction and led a military operation like a soldier in combat today. Ehud’s story reflects God’s responsiveness to the pleas of His people. God still responds that way today! God does not discriminate when selecting His servants. Despite being left-handed—a trait considered a disability in the ancient world—God chose Ehud. The Israelite society viewed left-handed people as impaired or insignificant. God, however, chose Ehud to free His people from their subjugation. The Israelites had strayed from God’s path, committing acts that were displeasing to Him. Consequently, God had punished them through the oppressive rule of Eglon, the king of Moab, for eighteen years.

Lessons We Can Learn

The story of Ehud underscores the sovereignty of God in choosing leaders and using them to achieve His will.
Ehud’s story demonstrates that God hears the cries and prayers of His people and provides deliverance from oppression and abuse.
God can use anyone, including those with perceived weaknesses or limitations, to fulfill His purposes.
Ehud’s actions teach us about the courage to take initiative against seemingly insurmountable odds to defend our faith and freedom.
We are reminded that sin has negative consequences, as seen in the suffering of the Israelites when they turned away from God. These lessons from Ehud’s life should encourage us to have faith in God’s plan, to be courageous in the face of adversity, and to remember that God is always working, often through unexpected people and means.
Finally, Ehud’s story shows the power of repentance.

It’s important to note that the New Testament presents a different perspective on dealing with enemies and oppressors. Jesus taught His followers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). He also taught that “all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). The Apostle Paul echoed this teaching in his letters, instructing believers not to repay evil with evil, but to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17–21). The story of Ehud and Eglon is part of the historical narrative of the Israelites, reflecting a specific time and cultural context. It does not necessarily prescribe a model for Christian behavior.

Contemplations

Our Bible has many stories of violence. How do you personally reconcile them?
- Ideas to Explore: There is the historical context. Stories represent a cross-section of history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom literature, and apocalyptic literature. God gives us each type or style of Scripture for His purpose. Violent stories usually include God’s judgment on human wickedness and highlight the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. Most importantly, the Bible’s overarching narrative is one of redemption, with violence highlighting the brokenness of the world and the need for a Savior.
Why does it always take fear or pain to make people move back to God?
- Ideas to Explore: Occasionally referred to as “Foxhole Christianity,” we are often distracted by the pleasures of the world. When things go bad, we run back to our God. That is one of the greatest history lessons in the Bible.
How important is it to our freedom that each generation believes in God?
- Ideas to Explore: Where will the leaders and soldiers come from to defend our nation? Would godless people care about freedom?

1
O’Neal, Sam. “Who Was Ehud in the Bible?” Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/who-was-ehud-in-the-bible-363273.
2
NIV New International Version Translations