GOD STRENGTHENS THE WEAK WHO HE CALLED.

CREDIT: faithhealth-wpengine.net

Judges 3:12-30 (ESV)

12 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the LORD. 13 He gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amalekites, and went and defeated Israel. And they took possession of the city of palms. 14 And the people of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
15 Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, and the LORD raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab. 16 And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit[a]in length, and he bound it on his right thigh under his clothes. 17 And he presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Eglon was a very fat man. 18 And when Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who carried the tribute. 19 But he himself turned back at the idols near Gilgal and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” And he commanded, “Silence.” And all his attendants went out from his presence. 20 And Ehud came to him as he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber. And Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you.” And he arose from his seat. 21 And Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. 22 And the hilt also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not pull the sword out of his belly; and the dung came out. 23 Then Ehud went out into the porch[b] and closed the doors of the roof chamber behind him and locked them.
24 When he had gone, the servants came, and when they saw that the doors of the roof chamber were locked, they thought, “Surely he is relieving himself in the closet of the cool chamber.” 25 And they waited till they were embarrassed. But when he still did not open the doors of the roof chamber, they took the key and opened them, and there lay their lord dead on the floor.
26 Ehud escaped while they delayed, and he passed beyond the idols and escaped to Seirah. 27 When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim. Then the people of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he was their leader. 28 And he said to them, “Follow after me, for the LORD has given your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they went down after him and seized the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites and did not allow anyone to pass over.29 And they killed at that time about 10,000 of the Moabites, all strong, able-bodied men; not a man escaped. 30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest for eighty years.

Israel enjoyed peace and prosperity all the 40 years of their former leader Othinel. Judges 3:11

When people of God are in the will of God they enjoy the peace and prosperity from God, God stands by you if you are on his side.

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 1 Peter 3:13 (NIV)

Israel again went back to sin Judges 3:12-14, (1) God allowed enemies to come against them.

Eglon the king of Moab led other allied forces against Israel for 18 years. 

When we serve God and obey his commandments, our enemies become God’s enemy.

Israel again cried unto God and He gave them a deliverer. Judges 3:15-16.

EHUD IS HIS NAME.

Ehud is from Bengamine – a left hand man v 15.

Most Bengaminite are left handed people Judges 20:15-16

Bengamine means son of my right hand, it is ironic to see that most of his children are left handed people.

This left handed man planned and was able to kill a fearful king as EGLON.

When God calls a person to a job he gives him wisdom power and
boldness to do the job and successfully.

Don’t be afraid. When God Call He makes provision.

John 1:12 (ESV)
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Jesus asked his disciples to wait. Acts 1:4

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THIS?

The second lesson is that God uses weak people and weak things always to accomplish great task. Judges 3:31.

After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an oxgoad, and he also saved Israel. (ESV)

The goad is a traditional farming implement, used to spur or guide livestock, usually oxen, which are pulling a plough or a cart; used also to round up cattle. It is a type of long stick with a pointed end, also known as the cattle prod.

https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348832752i/8951152.UY630_SR1200,630.jpg
CREDIT: i.gr-assets.com

• Moses though learned but weak in speech – a stammerer. Ex 3:11, 4:10;
• Gideon – Judges 6:15,
Some ministers God has used or is using are naturally weak people. Some not learned.

Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NLT)

Servant of God don’t let any one look down on you. The God you carry inside of you is all you need to do exploits as long as you are the called.

Rely on God’s strength, and seek to improve in the areas of your weakness

• If you don’t know how to speak, learn;
• If you don’t know how to preach, preach to learn how to preach. You shall get better with time.

Don’t be afraid of mistakes, because it will help you to improve. Acts. 24:28. This man was humble that was why he received instruction from the elder or Deacon.

Those deacon/deaconess were not proud people like we have in our churches today.

24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. Acts 24:24

Posted using Partiko Android