Left-Handed Warrior Will Fight

By Mary Vee
Judges 3

Ehud, the left-handed warrior's thoughts

As far back as I can remember I've been a slave to the king of Moab and have been forced to live with my parents in a tiny cave.  The children of Israel came to conquer and take the Promised Land years ago, but somewhere along the way we lost everything.


My father told me about the days of Joshua and the great victories God gave to Grandpa and our other soldiers. 


A lot of good that did those of us living here today. All I have is a corner of a cold, moldy cave to sleep and eat any crumbs I find.


I must admit, we as a nation did a lot of bad things after Joshua died. Many Israelites worshipped Baal and Asherah instead of  the Lord. We didn't keep His commands and well, we chose those gods over the Lord. That's when the Mesopotamians came here, stole our land, forced us to live in caves, and made us their slaves.


For eight long years we served their king, Cushan-Rishathaim. Yeah, it took that long to realize we needed the Lord's help!  


When we cried out to God, He came to our rescue right away. He didn't have to. We didn't deserve His help since we turned away from Him. The Lord chose Othniel to lead and judge our nation. God was with us the whole time--patiently waiting for us to apologize and ask for His help.


After forty years, the children of Israel turned from God to worship other Baal and other gods again. No, I guess we didn't learn our lesson. The king of Moab marched into the Promised land with his army, stole everything, made us live in caves, and made us his slaves. Again.


For the last miserable eighteen years I've lived in this stinky, dark cave searching for scraps of food while giving everything our family grows to the king of Moab. That lazy king has grown fat with our food while we starve. 


God gave us the Promise Land to worship Him not to grow food for the king of Moab or become Moabite slave. 


Well, I won't do it another day. 


No, sir. I won't. 


From this day forward, I will lead whoever will join me and serve the Lord.


Last night the Israelite elders asked me to take this month's payment to the king of Moab.  Each Israelite family had to give food and animals for the payment. 


This morning God gave me a great idea. I sent this messengers to all our fighting men: "Prepare. When I return from delivering the payment to the king of Moab, we will attack and regain our land. The Lord will be with us. He has heard our cry for help and will deliver us from this slavery."


I put on my best tunic and left.


Come back next time to read what happened to the fat king of Moab. 


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1. Where did Ehud and the other Israelites live? Why did they live there?
2. Who conquered the Israelites this time?
3. Why had they been made slaves?
4. What did God want them to do?
5. What does God want us to do when we sin?  (Hint: I John 1:9)
6. What does God promise? (Hint: Joshua 1:5)
7. What did Ehud decide to do? Who gave him the idea?