In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years. But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab. But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh. And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man”, and in chapter three and verse eighteen of Judges, we learn how Ehud, “sent away the people that bare the present” where we read,
And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present.
The verse reads, “And when he had made an end to offer the present, …” The writer began with the words, “and when he had made an end” which means “and at the time and moment he, Ehud, finished and completed” “to offer the present” or “presenting the tribute, offering and gift” the following happened. The writer referred to the time and moment that “Ehud” completed offering the tribute to “Eglon”, and the following happened.
The verse continues, “… he sent away the people that bare the present.” The writer added the words, “he sent away” which means “he let loose, dismissed and set free” “the people that bare the present” or “the human beings who lifted up and carried the tribute, offering and gift”. The writer shared how “Ehud” dismissed the other “people” with him who carried the tribute gift into “Eglon”.
When we think through the words in this verse, we discover that there was a group of “people” with “Ehud” who offered the tribute to “Eglon”. After completing their mission, “Ehud” dismissed the people of Israel who came with him. We shall see more to this story in our next few verses, but for now, let us consider that God’s plan for rescuing “Israel” was coming together, and step by step He directed “Ehud” in His purpose. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so that our lives are lived in a manner that is pleasing to Him and according to His plans. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)
Next time we learn how Ehud, “turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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