Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a cubit[b] long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. Judges 3:16
The bible is filled with short stories that often go unknown and we miss their importance. Such a short story is about the Judge Ehud, who is connected with Hebrews 4:12. The story begins with Israel being wayward once again and the Lord lifts His protective hand from them and they fall under the control of King Eglon a Moabite and enemy of Israel for 18 years. Just a side note, the Moabites were descendants of the children of Lot and his daughters that were conceived after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Ehud was sent to pay tribute to Eglon along with other nations under his control. Now Ehud was left handed, and before he left, he tied an 18″ double edged sword to his right thigh and went on his way. After paying tribute and as he walked away, he said to Eglon, ” “Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you.” And the King dismissed everyone, except for Ehud. Now Eglon was a very fat man, and he awkwardly stood up and went to Ehud, who then took the sword and thrust it into Eglon’s belly hilt and all!
He then locked the door and as the King’s servants waited outside to tend to the king, Ehud slipped out the balcony and left the city. In the mean time since the king wasn’t answering the calls of the servants, they unlocked the door and find him dead because the double edged sword went into his intestines and his bowels emptied inside him. Now that the king was dead, the Israelites could attack and win back their freedom for 80 years.
You can read the entire story in Judges 3:12-30. The connection to Hebrews 4:12 can be found in the double edged sword. When we use the Word (the double edged sword) it cuts through to reveal the truth and clean out all the dirt and stench that so often hinders us and keeps us from God’s best for us. Once again God proves that nothing is truly impossible with God when we believe and trust in Him.
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