But upon reaching the idols near Gilgal, he himself turned back and said, "I have a secret message for you, O king." "Silence," said the king, and all his attendants left him. But upon reaching the idols near GilgalThe mention of "idols" indicates the presence of pagan worship, which was prevalent in Canaanite culture and often a snare for the Israelites. Gilgal is significant as the first campsite of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River ( Joshua 4:19-20). It was a place of covenant renewal and circumcision ( Joshua 5:2-9), symbolizing Israel's commitment to God. The presence of idols here highlights the spiritual decline and syncretism that had infiltrated Israelite society. he himself turned back
Ehud's decision to turn back suggests a deliberate and strategic plan. This action demonstrates his courage and cunning, as he risks returning to the enemy's presence. It reflects the biblical theme of God using unexpected means and people to deliver His people, as seen with other judges like Gideon and Deborah. and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.”
The phrase "secret message" implies a sense of urgency and importance. In the ancient Near East, secret messages were often associated with divine or prophetic revelations. Ehud's approach to the king under the guise of delivering a confidential message shows his shrewdness and ability to exploit the king's curiosity and desire for exclusive knowledge. “Silence,” said the king,
The king's command for silence indicates his interest and willingness to hear the message privately. This reflects the cultural practice of kings valuing secret counsel and the potential for divine communication. It also sets the stage for Ehud's plan to isolate the king, making it easier to carry out his mission. and all his attendants left him.
The departure of the attendants signifies the king's trust in Ehud and his expectation of receiving a significant message. This moment of isolation is crucial for Ehud's plan to succeed. It highlights the vulnerability of the king and the providential circumstances that allow Ehud to act. This scenario echoes the biblical theme of God orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the stories of Joseph and Esther. Persons / Places / Events 1. EhudA left-handed judge of Israel from the tribe of Benjamin, chosen by God to deliver Israel from Moabite oppression. 2. EglonThe king of Moab who oppressed Israel for eighteen years. He is the recipient of Ehud's secret message. 3. GilgalA location near the Jordan River, significant in Israel's history as a place of encampment and worship, but here noted for its idols. 4. IdolsRepresenting the false gods and pagan practices that Israel was warned against but often fell into. 5. Secret MessageA ruse used by Ehud to gain private access to King Eglon, leading to Eglon's assassination. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is a recurring issue for Israel, symbolizing a departure from God. Believers today must guard against modern forms of idolatry, such as materialism or self-worship. God's Deliverance through Unlikely MeansEhud, a left-handed man, was an unexpected deliverer. God often uses unexpected people and methods to accomplish His purposes, reminding us to remain open to His leading. Courage and ObedienceEhud's boldness in approaching King Eglon demonstrates the courage required to follow God's call. Believers are encouraged to act with courage and obedience in their own lives. The Importance of Secrecy and Strategy in God's WorkEhud's strategic approach to Eglon shows that wisdom and planning are vital in fulfilling God's missions. Christians should seek God's guidance in planning and executing His work. Repentance and Turning Away from SinEhud's turning back from the idols symbolizes repentance. Believers are called to turn away from sin and return to God wholeheartedly. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Ehud's turning back from the idols at Gilgal teach us about the importance of repentance in our spiritual journey? 2. How can we identify and address modern forms of idolatry in our lives today? 3. In what ways does God use unexpected people or circumstances in your life to accomplish His purposes? 4. How can we cultivate the courage and obedience demonstrated by Ehud in our own walk with God? 5. What strategies can we employ to ensure that our actions align with God's will, as seen in Ehud's approach to King Eglon? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 12:2-3This passage commands the Israelites to destroy all places of idol worship, highlighting the significance of Ehud turning back from the idols at Gilgal. 1 Samuel 15:22-23Samuel's rebuke of Saul for disobedience and idolatry connects to the theme of Israel's struggle with idol worship. Psalm 115:4-8This psalm describes the futility of idols, reinforcing the spiritual backdrop of Ehud's mission. Acts 17:16Paul's distress over the idols in Athens parallels the spiritual conflict in Israel during the time of the Judges. | A Distinct Message | Spurgeon, Charles Haddon | Judges 3:12-30 | | A Message from God | W. Rudder, D. D. | Judges 3:12-30 | | A Message from God | J. Cumming, D. D. | Judges 3:12-30 | | A Message from God | J. B. C. Murphy, B. A. | Judges 3:12-30 | | A Sermon Upon Keys | John Mitchell. | Judges 3:12-30 | | Application of the Truth | | Judges 3:12-30 | | Effective Preachers Compared to Ehud | John McNeill. | Judges 3:12-30 | | Ehud: Left-Handedness | J. Parker, D. D. | Judges 3:12-30 | | God's Messages | J. P. Millar. | Judges 3:12-30 | | I have a Message from God unto Thee | T. Raffles, D. D. | Judges 3:12-30 | | Lessons from the Death of Eglon | T. De Witt Talmage. | Judges 3:12-30 | | Sin -- Suffering; Penitence and Deliverance Repeated | J. P. Millar. | Judges 3:12-30 | | The Christian Minister Bearing a Message from God to Man | H. S. Plumptre, M. A. | Judges 3:12-30 | | The Gospel Message | D. Johnston, D. D. | Judges 3:12-30 | | The Gospel Message | E. Cooper, M. A. | Judges 3:12-30 | | The Summer Parlour | W.F. Bishop. | Judges 3:12-30 | | Unexpected Perils | S. Baring-Gould, M. A. | Judges 3:12-30 | | Ehud | A.F. Muir | Judges 3:15-26 |
People Amalek, Amalekites, Ammonites, Amorites, Anath, Aram, Canaanites, Chushanrishathaim, Chushan-rishathaim, Eglon, Ehud, Gera, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Israelites, Jebusites, Kenaz, Moabites, Othniel, Perizzites, Shamgar, Sidonians, ZidoniansPlaces Canaan, Gilgal, Jordan River, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Mesopotamia, Moab, Mount Baal-hermon, SeirahTopics Attendants, Attended, Commanded, Errand, Gilgal, Graven, Hush, Idols, Images, Message, O, Presence, Quarries, Quiet, Sculptured, Secret, Silence, Standing, Stone, Stones, Stood, Turning, WaitingDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 3:19 8328 quietness Judges 3:15-26 5941 secrecy Judges 3:17-22 5858 fat Library Use what You Have
Few people really are and do their best. Nature has blessed a few with great talents and abilities. These persons often become proud, self-centered, and feel themselves to be superior, and for that reason many times they fail to make the proper use of their abilities. How often are they used in a bad or foolish way, so that what might be a blessing to the world fails to be such! There are many others who realize they do not possess these natural gifts. They look upon those who have them, and envy …
Charles Wesley Naylor—Heart TalksGifts and Talents.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."--Judges iii. 10. We now consider the Holy Spirit's work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit. The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will furnish Moses …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Whether Baptism Should Take Away the Penalties of Sin that Belong to this Life?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism should take away the penalties of sin that belong to this life. For as the Apostle says (Rom. 5:15), the gift of Christ is farther-reaching than the sin of Adam. But through Adam's sin, as the Apostle says (Rom. 5:12), "death entered into this world," and, consequently, all the other penalties of the present life. Much more, therefore, should man be freed from the penalties of the present life, by the gift of Christ which is received in Baptism. Objection 2: Further, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica "This Then is the Message which we have Heard of Him, and Declare unto You, that God is Light,"
1 John i. 5.--"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light," &c. The great design of the gospel is to make up the breach of man's joy, and open up the way to the fulness of it, and therefore it is the good news and glad tidings of great joy, the only best message that ever came to the world. Now it shows unto us the channel that this river of gladness and joy runs into, it discovers what is the way of the conveyance of it to the soul, and what are …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Whether the Old Law Enjoined Fitting Precepts Concerning Rulers?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law made unfitting precepts concerning rulers. Because, as the Philosopher says (Polit. iii, 4), "the ordering of the people depends mostly on the chief ruler." But the Law contains no precept relating to the institution of the chief ruler; and yet we find therein prescriptions concerning the inferior rulers: firstly (Ex. 18:21): "Provide out of all the people wise [Vulg.: 'able'] men," etc.; again (Num. 11:16): "Gather unto Me seventy men of the ancients of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Doctrine of Angels.
I. THEIR EXISTENCE. 1. THE TEACHING OF JESUS. 2. THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES. II. THEIR NATURE. 1. CREATED BEINGS. 2. SPIRITUAL BEINGS. 3. GREAT POWER AND MIGHT. 4. VARIOUS GRADES. 5. THE NUMBER OF ANGELS. III. THE FALL OF ANGELS. 1. TIME AND CAUSE. 2. THE WORK OF FALLEN ANGELS. 3. THE JUDGMENT OF FALLEN ANGELS. IV. THE WORK OF ANGELS. 1. THEIR HEAVENLY MINISTRY. 2. THEIR EARTHLY MINISTRY. a) In Relation to the Believer. b) In Relation to Christ's Second Coming. THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS. We are not …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 3:19 NIVJudges 3:19 NLTJudges 3:19 ESVJudges 3:19 NASBJudges 3:19 KJV
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