Reading: Judges chapter 3 verses 12 – 30

In a previous meditation, we focused on Lot, who ended up on the wrong side of a closed door. EGLON, king of Moab, had links with Lot. When Lot was living in the wicked city of Sodom, events led him into immoral and fleshly relationships with his two daughters-in-law. The outcome of one of these liaisons was the birth of Moab, from whence came Eglon, the king of Moab. He is described as ‘a very fat man’, who endulged himself in a cool and private chamber.  The children of Israel concluded that the only way to subdue him was to pay him tribute and send numerous presents; however, he was never satisfied.

There was one man, who was the exception to this subservient behaviour – EHUD, the son of Gera. On the surface he seemed the least likely of men to bring deliverance. He had a good heritage in that he came from the tribe of Benjamin, which means, son of my right hand. However, he was left-handed, i.e. shut up of his right hand. The right hand in Scripture speaks of power, position and favour. Far from conveying such thoughts, Ehud’s physical appearance suggested the exact opposite! Yet, instead of sending presents to Eglon, he devoted his time and skill to making a double-edged sword to slay him, which he referred to as ‘a message from God’. The Bible pictures the Lord Jesus with ‘a sharp two-edged sword going out of His mouth’, Revelation chapter 1 verse 16.

When Ehud used the dagger he had made on Eglon, it could not be withdrawn. The Christian’s best form of defence and attack is the Word of God (the Bible). Once it has done its work, it cannot be undone! Ehud’s final act was the wisest he could have done. He SHUT THE DOORS of Eglon’s chamber, locked them and escaped! This is how we should deal with the power of the flesh in our lives – escape from it.

To be continued