The Two-Edged Sword

Judges 3:15

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 Lord had raised up judges for Israel to save them for the nations that plundered them. Even though He had done this, they did not listen to Him and instead chose to whore after other gods turning aside from the ways of their fathers. They were in a cycle of sin involving crying out to God--getting a judge--rejecting God--being plundered by other nations-crying out to God...and going through it all again. What a devastation to them and a heart breaker for God!

Into this cycle of sin, rebellion, and disobedience, God raised up Ehud, a left-handed man. What a interesting fact! Ehud was taking the tribute from the people to Eglon the king of Moab. Before journeying there, he made himself a two-edged sword and hid it on his right thigh under his clothes. After presenting the tribute to Eglon who was a very fat man, he sent all the people away saying he had a secret message for the king. As Eglon was sitting alone in his roof chamber, Ehud told him he had a message from God for him.  Ehud took the sword and thrust it into Eglon's belly hilt and all. The fat closed over the blade, and the dung came out. Yuck! Then Ehud left closing the doors behind him. He escaped because the servants assumed Eglon was relieving himself. Finally, they opened the doors only to find him dead. Ehud had escaped to the hill country where he became the leader of the Israel.

What a story! I find it interesting that Ehud had a two-edged sword to defeat this evil king. Likewise, I have a two-edged sword to fight evil. Similarly, the sword of the Spirit divides the inmost part of a person leaving that person naked and exposed.  Like Ehud, I keep my sword close to my body at all times and ready for action. The sword of the Spirit is also a message from God, a message that if believed and obeyed completely defeats sin.

For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb. 4:12-13)

Could it be a parallel? Who knows??  But most assuredly, God will deliver those who cry out to Him. He will equip and empower those who love Him with all that they need to defeat the enemy of their soul.

Father,

As Your words take root in my heart and mind, show me the evil that lies close at hand. Help me defeat it. Keep me true to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen