In this passage we begin to learn of the pattern of Israel’s life that persisted for years. They would serve false gods, be judged by the Lord, and then God would raise up a judge to save them. The first idolatry was the worship of the Baals andAsherahs. They were then judged by the Lord and given into the power of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia. They served him eight years, and then the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. He raised up Othniel, Caleb’s younger brother. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel and he prevailed against Cushan-Rishathaim, and the land had rest for 40 years. Then Othniel died.
The children of Israel again did evil, and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel. He gathered the people of Ammon and Amalek, and they defeated Israel, and took possession of the City of Palms. They served Eglon for eighteen years. When the children of Israel cried out to God, He raised up another deliverer, Ehud, a left-handed man. He made a dagger about 18 inches long, and fastened it on his right thigh under his clothes. He approached Eglon under the guise of bringing him tribute. Eglon was a very fat man. When he finished giving the tribute, he sent away his people and sought to deliver a secret message to Eglon. Eglon sent all his servants out. Ehud came to Eglon in his private chamber and told him that he had a message from God. Ehud then took the dagger from his thigh and thrust it into Eglon’s belly. The hilt went in after the blade and the fat closed over the blade and his entrails spilled out. Ehud slipped out through a private entrance and locked the door behind him. When he was gone, Eglon’s servants tried to see him, but found the doors locked. They finally unlocked the doors and found him dead. Ehud then called for Israel to attack the Moabites. They followed him and destroyed ten thousand men of Moab. The land had rest for eighty years.
Devoted To You 