The times of the judges in Israel were difficult times. God had promised to be with them if they obeyed Him, but they kept falling back into idolatry.

After the death of Othniel, the first judge of Israel, a man named Ehud was appointed to deliver the people from their enemies. Judges 3:15 says the people had cried to the Lord, and the Lord heard their cries.

The people of Israel had been overcome by the enemy, and for 18 years they had been under the power and influence of the Moabites. They were more than ready to make a change.

When Ehud was appointed judge over Israel, the people had him go to Eglon, the King of Moab, with a gift. Along with the gift, Ehud made a dagger with two edges, about 18 inches long. Ehud strapped the dagger to his right thigh, hid it under his clothing, and went off to visit the king.

Eglon was, according to Judges 4, a very fat man. That becomes very important to the outcome of this story.

Ehud went before the king and presented him with the gift. Eglon handed the gift over to some of his subjects, and they left Ehud and Eglon alone.

Ehud boosted the ego of this Moabite king by telling him that he had a secret errand with him. Eglon probably expected something special, some information or another gift.

Eglon was enjoying some private time in his summer cottage, and he sent everyone out so he and Ehud could have some privacy. Ehud told him that he had a message from God, and Eglon got out of his seat to stand with Ehud.

Ehud took his left hand, pulled out the dagger, and plunged it into Eglon’s stomach. The fat closed around the blade so Eglon could not pull it out. What a miserable situation Eglon was in. He was wounded and could not help himself. The doors were locked, and no one knew he was in trouble.

Some of the servants were on the outside wondering what was going on inside. They thought it was not wise to disturb him since he might be sleeping or just didn’t want to be disturbed.

Ehud escaped while the servants were outside waiting and wondering how long Eglon was going to keep everyone out. Finally, the servants got a key and opened the door. There they found Eglon dead with Ehud’s dagger stuck in his belly.

Ehud returned home, gathered his army, and killed 10,000 men. Scripture says that not a man escaped.

The people of Israel turned against God over and over again. They would worship idols, intermarry with other nations, live in captivity for a period of time, and then pray to God for help. Over and over again, God heard their prayers, sent a deliverer, and restored His people to their rightful place.

Isn’t it wonderful that we have such a loving God, one who restores the Christian when he or she falls? But one thing must always be true for us to be restored. We MUST confess the sin and repent.

One cannot call on the Father to hear his/her prayers and then continue living in sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (First John 1:9 KJV). 

Sandra Oliver