the Fourth Week after Easter
Click here to learn more!
Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 2 of 5
Judges 3:12-31
The "rod" which God now uses to discipline His people is Moab, the same nation which the LORD had previously restrained, by Balaam’s mouth, from opposing Israel. Eighteen years pass before the people turn to the LORD; previously eight years had been enough (v. 8). In His mercy He raises up a saviour – Ehud the Benjaminite.
Ehud has "a message from God" for Eglon, king of Moab. This grave message is none other than his double-edged dagger, which means death for the evil man. The epistle to the Hebrews compares the Word of God, quick and powerful, to a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Today it is a blessing to those who will allow themselves to be searched by it, but in the future it will condemn and cause all those who have not believed it to perish (Revelation 19:13-15). Shamgar’s weapon is the Word of God again, but this time as the world sees it: an implement with no apparent value. However this weapon has great power and is strong enough to deliver Israel once again.
The weakness of man (Ehud was left-handed), the weakness of the implement (Shamgar’s ox-goad), both emphasize the power of God who delivers those who cry to Him.
