Morale from Shamgar and Ehud (Judges 3:12-22, 31 )

Morale from Shamgar and Ehud (Judges 3:12-22, 31 )

 ¹² And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord.

¹³ And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.

¹⁴ So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.

¹⁵ But when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.

¹⁶ But 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.

¹⁷ And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man.

¹⁸ And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present.

¹⁹ But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.

²⁰ And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.

²¹ And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:

²² And 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.

³¹ And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel. 

 

Intro)

Long time ago, a famous Korean comedian Mr. Joo Il Lee died because of the lung cancer. He tried hard to fight against cancer but he died because of his bad habit ‘smoking’. Joo Il Lee’s real name is Joo Il Jung but people called him Joo Il Lee because he became popular just in two weeks.

 

This guy also became a Congress man which was something extra ordinary for a person who was comedian. We can tell his weakness by looking his picture. Yes, his weakness is his ugly face. 30 years ago, a Producer of some TV show got fired because the PD put this ugly comedian in his show. But later, as his good personality starts to known by people then became very popular. His catch phrase was “I’m sorry because I’m ugly.” Isn’t it really honesty? However he is the guy whose turn his weakness into his strength.

A) When God uses you, your weakness became your strength. 

Today’s text tells story about Ehud and Shamgar. In standard of this world Ehud was not very successful person, he was disability. Also his job was a farmer. Amazingly God chose this weakest guy for his work, he was man with faith. In verse 11, we can see there was a prophet Othniel before Ehud. Because of Othniel, Israel had peaceful era for 40 years. However after Othniel death, people of Israel did unfaithful things in front of Jesus. So God used Moab to hit Israel. Moab defeated Israel and people of Israel had to serve Moab for 18 years. We can see Israel became slave for other country again, just few generation exodus. However, people of Israel didn’t find God during slavery, and try hard to independent by themselves. But they couldn’t, finally after 18 years of slavery and after they failed so many times, they seek God again. Our merciful lord sends Ehud for them let’s see verse 15 “the Lord raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.”

Name Ehud means ‘strong’ however bible refer him as lefthanded, but here lefthanded in Hebrew means someone have disability with one’s right hand. So why God did chose Ehud? Who has handicap.

 In culture of Israel, right hand means power. one of the 12 tribes in Israel, Benjamin tribe had many warriors who are right handed. Benjamin also means “son of right hand.” Ehud was one of them. Even thou he couldn’t use his right hand God chose him because of his faith.

Brothers and sisters we all have our weaknesses, however our weaknesses shouldn’t stay as our weak spot, we need to let God to take care of our weaknesses and we should believe He will turn that weaknesses into your strength.

Apostle Paul was also had disability. Some said he had eye problem, some said different illness. However, Paul had pray for cure so many times but God always said “just live with it, you have already blessed enough.”

 

So Paul lived with his illness, he believed God gave this to him to not be arrogant. Eventually his illness became his source of power for missions, until his martyrdom. If we hide our weaknesses, we will be depressed, weaken our faith, and blaming God. If you have physical illness, don’t let any of those to become the obstacle between you and God.

God wanted to show his ability through Paul. Why God gave illness to Paul? Why God gave us poor parents? Why God gives us hardships? The answer is this, to show God will use you even if you think you are not qualified.

 

God wants people to say and admit “Oh! That was possible because of power of God, not because of human power.”

Power was very successful young man in world’s standard with good degree from nice university and had powerful family behind him. But, by God puts illness into him Paul couldn’t be arrogant and usable too for God to spread His words.

Don’t blame God in any situation, your weaknesses, and hardship will make you live life that pleasures God.

 

B) Ehud Killed Eglon the King of Moab.

Ehud didn’t depend on his ability but only God. The King of Moab allowed Ehud to meet with him without being suspicious because he was disabled man. This King underestimated Ehud because Ehud couldn’t use his right hand. However in the secret room, Ehud stepped him hard, until the handle part of 1.5 feet dagger reaches King’s backbone with his left hand.

After kill the Moab king, Ehud gathers people of Israel. Verse 27 says “And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.”

So, Ehud didn’t just kill the king of Moab but all warriors of Moab.

To be used by God, we need this determination, courage, and faith. We need to clean our way to God.

And verse 30 says

“So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years”

True peace and victory is in God.

 

Ehud believed God’s plan of saving his people. He knew God will help people of Israel and he believed this war is what God wanted.

We have different talent, look, and weakness for each people, but if we live with faith, God will use us for the right works.

C) God uses Shamgar

“And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel. “

Shamgar was also an ordinary farmer. But God also used person like him to kill six hundred with an ox goad. An ox goad is not killing weapon, it is not sharp, it is just a wooden stick. How can a farmer kill six hundred men? This is the work of God. Please believe once we are in His hand, nevertheless of our lack of ability, God will use us to show his power.

Conclusion)

We are children of God, we are chief priest like king, we are princes and princesses in kingdom of God. So don’t be disappointed if you have weaknesses or disability, but live like King.

Children of King will never be discouraged. Always give orders with confidence. We can overcome any hardships, we have to use power of God that can cure and control illnesses. I believe this will be our life.

Today, I hope and pray for all of us to have new hope, and gain new power. Stand up in faith, praise the salvation of God, experience God work, and be God’s exclusive warriors and workers.