The Deliverer

July 17, 2011

Lesson: Judges 3:12-30

Key Verse: Judges 3:15

Introduction

Again the children of Israel “did evil in the sight of the Lord.” Again the Lord in His longsuffering and mercy raises up a judge who would be a deliverer in the His hand. The judge was Ehud of the tribe of Benjamin, who lived about the year 1300 B.C. He was left-handed, which was to be a tool in the hand of the Lord, which brought about the defeat of the Moabites.

Because the people of Israel had chosen to do the evil they had once been delivered from, the Lord chose to chastise them through the Moabites. The Lord raised up Eglon, “another king of Moab, whom God strengthened against them, put power into his hands, though a wicked man, that he might be a scourge to Israel. The staff in his hand with which he beat Israel was God’s indignation; howbeit he meant not so, neither did his heart think so (Isa. 10:6, Isa. 10:7). Israelites did ill, and, we may suppose, Moabites did worse; yet because God commonly punishes the sins of his own people in this world, that, the flesh being destroyed, the spirit may be saved, Israel is weakened and Moab strengthened against them” (M. Henry). Israel is weakened that they may repent; Moab is strengthened that the punishment may be just in the hand of the Lord.

In the Lord’s sight –Judges 3:12-14

“And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord.” Is it that easy to return to the sins of the past? Had it been that long ago that the people had witnessed the punishment of the Lord for their sins? For eight years the people had been under bondage “the hand of Cushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia” (Judges 3:8). Then the Lord heard the peoples cry of repentance and He sent another deliverer, Othniel; and “the land had rest forty years” (3:11).

A generation would have ended in forty eight years. Did they think they could get away with their sin because of God’s mercy? For in the very presence of the Lord and His glorious mercy which brought to their lives His forgiveness, they began to practice various wicked deeds bringing trouble to the land. M. Henry wrote, “What, and after all this, again to break his commandments! Was the disease obstinate to all the methods of cure, both corrosives and lenitives (medicine/laxative)? It seems it was. Perhaps they thought they might make the bolder with their old sins because they saw themselves in no danger from their old oppressor; the powers of that kingdom were weakened and brought low. But God made them know that he had variety of rods wherewith to chastise them”. The Lord seized Eglon king of Moab and made him strong against Israel.

Eglon gathered the “children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees. So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.” The children, the families of Israel now belonged to Eglon, for they had chosen evil over against the goodness of their Lord.

Discussion: What makes the evil of God’s people look most foolish and oppressive?

The Left-handed Gift –Judges 3:15-22

The Lord is Almighty in every area of life. He is Sovereign over all actions, whether it be those who are righteous or those who are unrighteous. His Sovereignty implies that in all and everything He is in full control and will receive all honor and glory. The Lord brings His people into bondage and they “cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left-handed.” By Ehud “the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.” While the people seek the pleasure of Eglon, the Lord desires to free His people and bring them back to His fold. Even while the Lord is answering their cry, they are trying their way of deliverance. One must give his all to the Lord when seeking His help.

Ehud, the servant of the Lord, prepares for battle. As with Gideon it will not be done with a large army. “Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.” The enemy would expect such a weapon to be carried on the left side by one who was left-handed. Ehud “brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab” a very fat man. The Spirit records the basic facts, large and small, of the Lord’s deliverance, that one may see His hand in each act to the accomplishment of what He wills.

Ehud presents the gift to the king, sending his people away who bore the gift. Ehud had gotten into the king’s presence. It is as if we were watching a play, wondering what will happen next. But this is a historical moment for Ehud as he follows the will of his Lord. Ehud speaks to the king, “I have a secret errand unto thee.” The king “Keep silence” and “all who that stood by him went out from him.” Eglon sat in his personal parlor. Ehud came to him saying, “I have a message from God unto thee.” As the king rose out of his seat “Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly.” He drove the dagger deep within Eglon, “the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.” By the providence of God the king received his just reward.

Discussion: How do Ehud’s actions reveal the Sovereignty of the Lord?

The Lord Delivers -Judges 3:23-30

Ehud went out through the porch, shutting the doors of the parlor, locking them. The king’s servants came to the door, finding it locked, thought that their master his rest: “Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.” They waited there until they felt ashamed, foolish, that the king did not open the door: “therefore they took a key, and opened them and behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.” While the servants tarried, Ehud “passed beyond the quarries, and escaped” into the wooded area of Seirath.

Deliverance of God’s people and justice upon Moab came by the hand of the Lord. Ehud escaped the mountain of Ephraim, and blowing a trumpet, “the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.” Ehud spoke to the people, “Follow after me: for the Lord hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” Deliverance before the actual fact of it being done is seen as already accomplished. There is no negative thought; it will be done as God has so promised. “And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over. And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man.” God’s hand brought victory as He so willed: “So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel.” Again the grace of God had come upon Israel and they “had rest fourscore (80) years.” M. Henry wrote: “We may hope that there was likewise a reformation among them, and a check give to idolatry, by the influence of Ehud which continued a good part of this time. It was a great while for the land to rest, fourscore years; yet what is that to the saints’ everlasting rest in the heavenly Canaan?” Our victory is in Christ from whom we find rest or refreshment for our souls. “For whosoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:4-5).

Discussion: What does it mean that the Lord is the Deliverer?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2011 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.

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