Ehud: Our Limitations Are God’s Tools
During the days of the judges, Israel continued in the cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and peace. The nation was in the season of sinful rebellion when God raised up an unlikely deliverer, a man from the tribe of Bejamin named Ehud.
Ehud was unlikely because he was known for being left-handed.
This doesn’t seem like a bid deal to us today, but the ancient culture considered this a deficit in both war and everyday life. Military training favored the right hand. Additionally the right hand symbolized strength, honor, and authority. The left hand was viewed as less honorable.
Nevertheless, God often chooses the overlooked, and he chose Ehud to be Israel’s second judge.
Ehud and Eglon
Israel had fallen under the power of Moab, led by a king named Eglon. Part of submitting to Moab included paying tribute while living with the humiliation of a conquered nation.
During this time, the people cried out to God, and God heard their cries.
Ehud was selected to carry the tribute to King Eglon. He quietly strapped a dagger to his right thigh beneath his clothing and made the journey to Eglon’s palace.
In an upstairs room of the palace, Ehud delivered the tribute to Eglon as expected. The f0rmalities were completed, and Ehud departed.
After dismissing the others, Ehud turned. He approached the king’s attendants, declaring, “I have a secret message for the king.”
Eglon was curious. He ordered silence and sent his attendants away. The room grew still. The doors were closed. Anticipation lingered.
In an instant, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the dagger, and drove it into the king’s overweight belly.
The blade went deep, disappearing. The king collapsed.
Ehud slipped quietly from the doors behind him. Assuming the king wanted privacy, the servants waited, unaware that the reign of Moab had ended.
By the time they broke into the chamber, it was too late. The king was gone.
Ehud Becomes Judge
Meanwhile, Ehud fled into the hill country and sounded the trumpet of war. Israel gathered courage, rallied, and attacked the oppressive Moabite army.
Under Ehud’s leadership, Moab’s grip on Israel was broken. The land had peace for 80 years.
Lessons From the Life of Ehud
What can we learn from this unsettling story? Let’s take a closer look.
1. Our weaknesses are tools in God’s hands.
Being left-handed might have been seen as a weakness in the ancient culture, but God had a plan for Ehud.
When visitors entered a palace, the guards checked them for weapons. They checked the left thigh, where a right-handed man would hide a weapon.
Because Ehud was left-handed, his dagger was strapped to his right thigh, enabling him to smuggle it into the king’s chamber, ultimately killing the king and leading Israel to freedom from Moab.
We all have weak areas. God reminds us that these are the precise places where he waits to reveal his power (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
We all have weak areas. God reminds us that these are the precise places where he waits to reveal his power (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). #weakness Share on X
2. God hears us when we call to him.
Israel was under Moab’s oppressive rule for 18 years. When they finally cried out to him with repentant hearts, he delivered them.
No matter what you are facing today, cling to this: When you cry out to God, turning to him and turning away from sin, he will hear your cry and deliver you.
3. Courage can be quiet.
We generally think of heroes as those who valiantly and boldly fight for justice.
Ehud silently planned his attack against Eglon, and he executed this plan alone, under the cover of silence.
Where is God calling you to step forward with quiet courage today?
4. One act of faith can radically change the circumstances.
Ehud’s single act of courage was a catalyst to radical change for an entire nation.
Under Ehud’s leadership, the nation enjoyed 80 years of peace.
Every act of faith matters. This is a powerful reminder for us when we feel discouraged. We never know when a simple act of faith might start a chain of events that changes history.
5. God is our deliverer.
Just as Ehud delivered Israel, God wants to deliver us from everything that holds us back and oppresses us.
God’s ultimate deliverance came through Jesus, who died to deliver us from the power of death and sin.
6. God uses unexpected people to fulfill his plans.
Ehud was an unlikely leader, but God used him to deliver an entire nation.
God has a purpose for each of our lives. As we stay in step with him, he fulfills his purpose for us.
~~~
If this exploration of the life of Ehud blessed you, I invite you to explore our family devotional books and library of free devotionals and eBooks below. May God grant you victory in life’s battles!
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Apply the Old Testament to Your Life Today
Do you want to learn how to read the Old Testament and apply it to the challenges you face in your everyday life? In 30 devotions, my free devotional eBook, Timeless, will help you grow in God’s Word while applying it to your life. You’ll also learn how the entire Bible points to Jesus as we unpack fascinating symbolism linking the Old Testament to Christ. Download it for free with promo code JESUS here or consider offering a $4.99 donation to support this ministry. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
