There
were 16 judges of Israel who were chosen to serve God before the time of the kings. Judge number two was Ehud, a man from the tribe of Benjamin. His name is mentioned 12 times in the Bible. In Judges 3:15 we are introduced to him and by Judges 4:1 the Israelites are laying Ehud to rest.
There was, however, something unusual about Ehud—he was left-handed. Scripture points out that he was a lefty, a southpaw! But that is not the whole story. It seems there were hundreds of warriors from the tribe of Benjamin who were also left-handed. In Judges 20:16 we read, “Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.” Perhaps that’s one of the best compliments ever given to left-handers.
Statisticians tell us that about 10% of all men are left-handed, as are about 8% of all women. That’s how many people have to curl their wrists in strange contortions in order to write a letter. Fortunately, statistics also tell us that most left-handed people are in their right minds.
Ehud fashioned a special 20-inch dagger for himself. Both sides of the blade were sharpened, and he carried it strapped to his right thigh and hidden under his clothing.
We don’t know much about Ehud, but we do know that God called him to do a job, and Ehud did it well!
Eglon, the king of Moab, had just placed an excessive tax on the children of Israel, and God was about to seek justice for Eglon’s wicked ways. God called on Ehud to give this evil man a special visit.
Do you listen to God’s plans for you? Ehud did. What do you think Ehud was thinking when God first called on him? This sort of espionage is risky business. One can get hurt trying to assassinate a king. But there was never a question in Ehud’s mind. He strapped his trusty sword to his thigh and headed straightaway to meet the enemy.
By claiming he had a secret message to deliver to the king, Ehud was able to come face-to-face with the king, an obese man relaxing in his home. “Ehud then approached [the king] while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his summer palace and said, ‘I have a message from God for you’” (3:20). The rest is history. Ehud took his left hand, grabbed for his sword hanging on his right side, and gave Eglon a message he would never forget. The details of the deed can be read in Judges 3:21-23. Suffice to say, Ehud left the king’s palace without his 20-inch sword.
And so the left-handed man faithfully carried out God’s calling. God called; Ehud answered. God spoke; Ehud obeyed. God uses all kinds of people to carry out his work regardless of the size of the task. Some tasks may be unpleasant. Some may take effort, time, or money. Regardless, God doesn’t mind if you are left-handed, right-handed or ambidextrous. God doesn’t care if you have large hands or tiny hands, young hands or old hands, smooth hands or rough hands. He doesn’t mind if you have all ten fingers or are minus a few.
What a great and powerful God we have! We joyfully worship, praise, and thank the one who holds us in the palms of his mighty hands. These are the hands of a Savior who fashions the world, heals the sick, holds the lonely, and touches the blind. These are the hands that endured the nails. And these are also the hands that were lifted in blessing as he promised to be with us always, even to the end of the world.
Personal goal: Think of ways you can use your hands for the Lord.
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