Ehud: One Man's Mission
Judges 3:12-30
We recently met Othniel, Israel's first judge after the conquest of the land of Canaan.
Othniel stepped forward to lay a pattern of availability for the heroes of this time period who would, one by one step into the gap and be used by God to deliver His people.
Our text finds Israel once again in a terrible place of backslidden sinfulness.
The book of Judges records Israel's rollercoaster relationship with God in a way that is reminiscent of our own walk with God.
We too, become complacent and tend to slip away from the One Who has purchased us with His own blood.
We too have found ourselves on the business end of God's judgment, only to cry to Him for help and find Him prepared to deliver us from our sin.
Such is the case with Israel in Judges Chapter 3 and beginning at Verse 12.
READ TEXT Verse 12-15
PRAY
The pattern of sin and judgment is shown clearly in the verses we have just read.
First of all we see the spiritual condition of God's people.
They are once again involved in the same evil for which they had previously been judged.
Verse 12 tells us in terse but clear terms, Israel went back to their sin.
In equally clear terms we see that God immediately responded to their condition.
As Israel had chosen to dabble in the religious rituals of ungodly Moab and Ammon and Amalek, God used these wicked nations to teach Israel a lesson.
So it is when we take sin into our heart and our life, that sin will bring its own judgment, and that judgment will be of God.
Later in Israel's history Solomon knew all too well how much damaged could be caused by compromising in the area of relationships with people involved in idolatry.
He wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:
Pr 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
So Israel found that these Idolatrous people with whom they had decided to intermingle would be the very hand of judgment in their nation.
Eglon, king of Moab gathered Ammon and Amalek, two notoriously ungodly nations to join him in his conquest of Israel.
Verse 13 tells us that after a seemingly quick victory, Eglon took up camp in the general area of old Jericho.
As there is little written here of the actual battle or the fight that Israel put up, it appears Israel was taken somewhat by surprise by the enemy.
So it is when a Christian harbors a little bitterness or rebellion or worldliness or lust in his or her heart.
It is always a surprise when their life gets completely out of control.
They thought that this was a small amount of sin that could be managed, when, suddenly, the unintended consequences overwhelm their lives.
Suddenly it is 18 years later and the misery is counted in decades.
However, as we read in verse 15, Israel cried unto the Lord and God was listening.
He already knew what He was going to do for them.
He already knew who He wanted to lead and deliver His people.
He picked a south-paw to right the wrongs.
Now we will change tracks a little and look at the situation from Ehud's perspective.
The background of Israel's spiritual condition and the political and governmental situation was important to understanding Ehud's mission.
Verse 15 tells us that Ehud was sent to Eglon with a present.
This was not an uncommon thing.
The marauding army was kept at bay by such lavish gifts and presents sent regularly to Eglon.
However, Ehud was not willing to live a moment longer in bondage to the wicked king.
He did not call a committee or raise funds.
He did not ask for support from the cowering countrymen around him.
He knew that God wanted Him to complete this mission regardless of the consequences or the support he would garner.
This was One Man's Mission.
READ 16-21
Th details of the One Man Mission are a bit gruesome, as you have seen, but the underlying lesson is powerful and challenging.
Ehud could have waited for a consensus of his countrymen.
Ehud could have determined that he was going to be a part of whatever uprising would take place.
Ehud could have seen the mission as one that any number of other men should have gone on.
However, He believed that this mission was his alone.
He risked His own wealth and life by committing to his mission, but God did not let him down.
Because Ehud was willing to go it alone, God made sure that he didn't.
He was with Ehud every step of the way.
As we continue our story, and the most gruesome details finish in verse 22, we pick up in Verse 23.
READ 23-26
We see God's intervention into the situation blessing Ehud's courage.
The servants were confused and embarrassed to knock on the door while Ehud made his escape.
TRUTH #1 God wants you to be willing to do his bidding alone.
TRUTH #2 God will protect and bless the man who steps out on faith.
TRUTH #3 God will use one man's courage to inspire the masses.
When Ehud had escaped, his one-man-mission became a rallying cry for a nation.
Verse 27-30
The magnitude of the victory that Israel won at that time must have dwarfed the news of that One Man's Mission.
It seems, in the wake of great victory, the individual sacrifices are forgotten by man, but Ehud had not completed the mission for glory or acclaim.
He just obeyed the voice of God and stepped out on faith.
God may have a one man mission for you that seems destined to fail.
It may seem that your mission, the task to which God has called you may even seems small and insignificant.
You may feel that you are not up to the task.
Do not forget the truths from Ehud's story: One Man's Mission.
TRUTH #1 God wants you to be willing to do his bidding alone.
TRUTH #2 God will protect and bless the man who steps out on faith.
TRUTH #3 God will use one man's courage to inspire the masses.
Don't miss out on the blessing and the chance to inspire the masses or even better, glorify God.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, November 19, 2007
Signs of Judgment Part II
Signs of Judgment Part II
Over the last several weeks we have faithfully studied the prophet Ezekiel, a prophet whose chapters are dark and disturbing.
While there are plenty of hopeful and joyous chapters and passages in the Bible, it is important that we balance them out with those passages that make us flinch and squirm in discomfort.
There are times in our own lives and in the life of our nation that we should be discomforted about the sinfulness of our society.
Last week we began a series of chapters in which there are signs of judgment.
God had given Ezekiel the singular and difficult task of playing out a charade of coming doom and destruction for the nation of Israel.
In this prophetic play Ezekiel pointed out specific sinful conditions and then he laid out specific coming judgments.
In Chapter 4 it began with:
I. A Model of Judgment (Verse 1,2)
> In which the people of God's affection are the objects of God's wrath.
> In which the fall of the judged is inevitable.
II. A Wall of Separation (Verse 3)
> Which effectively separates the people from the presence of God.
> Which effectively separates the people from the protection of God.
III. A Bed of Iniquity (Verse 4-8)
> Which God has mercifully endured for an extended period of time.
> Which in later years had spread and incurred the imminent judgment of God.
IV. A Feast of Corruption (Verse 9-17)
> Which can never satisfy the hunger of a man.
> Which is disgusting and filthy instead of pure and holy.
The horrific pictures that Ezekiel has painted in the preceding chapter are not without a singular purpose.
God wants this nation, whose purpose was to show forth His glory to see the degradation and shame into which they have fallen.
They have abandoned the greatest purpose of all to embrace the basest of all.
Now we can move on to Chapter 5, where God speaks of Measured Judgment.
READ TEXT 5:1-9
PRAY
V. A Measured Judgment (Chapter 5)
> Which is to shame and humiliate the judged. (1)
God would shear away all of which Israel boasted to prove it was nothing without Him.
> Which is well-thought-out and balanced to fit the sin. (2)
1/3 part would be destroyed in the conquering of the city.
1/3 part would be destroyed in the wars to follow.
1/3 part would be scattered to the four corners of the earth where they would be persecuted by the nations around the world.
> Which spares a scant few from judgment. (3,4)
A very small remnant would be preserved, and even they would suffer in this judgment.
> Which will show God's holiness to the surrounding nations. (5-9)
Israel's place was to be an example of God's blessing to the nations.
Israel would, by obedience or by judgment, show God's holiness to the nations.
> Which is exactly what God has promised in His covenant. (10-17)
The text of these horrific judgments is familiar because it is word for word what God had promised would happen in Leviticus 26 if Israel fell away from him.
Our God is not unjust, nor does He fly into uncontrolled reactions that do not match the sin He is judging.
Every move is exactly what He has promised should a nation for which He has affection fall away from Him.
VI. A Proclamation of Lordship Chapter 6 & 7
> In which the high places are torn down to prove that God is Lord alone. Verses 1-7
> In which God fulfills His promises of judgment to prove that He is a Lord Who keeps his word. Verses 8-10
> In which the delivery of the message is passionate and animated to prove that He is the Lord Who cares deeply about justice. Verse 11-13a
> In which the landscape becomes desolate to prove that He is the Lord they need. Verse 13b-14
> In which the sin itself brings its own judgment to prove that He is The Lord. Verse 1-4
> In which final judgment is come to prove that He is the Lord that smiteth. Verses 5-9
> In which complete national disaster shall be fulfilled to prove that God is the LORD. Verses 10-27
Pride has grown into utter rebellion and senseless violence. verse 10,11
Military strength fails completely. Verse 14
Shame and reproach is widespread. Verse 18
Financial ruin makes money worthless. Verse 19
Foreigners and heathen tramp through the streets as conquerors. Verse 24
The Word of God is scarce. Verse 26
Leadership will be helpless. Verse 27
The preceding chapters should bring us to our knees in repentance before all this befalls our own nation, for indeed she was a land of great glory for God and has become a land of wickedness and compromise.
Let us pray for our country and repent of our sins that God might bless us again.
Over the last several weeks we have faithfully studied the prophet Ezekiel, a prophet whose chapters are dark and disturbing.
While there are plenty of hopeful and joyous chapters and passages in the Bible, it is important that we balance them out with those passages that make us flinch and squirm in discomfort.
There are times in our own lives and in the life of our nation that we should be discomforted about the sinfulness of our society.
Last week we began a series of chapters in which there are signs of judgment.
God had given Ezekiel the singular and difficult task of playing out a charade of coming doom and destruction for the nation of Israel.
In this prophetic play Ezekiel pointed out specific sinful conditions and then he laid out specific coming judgments.
In Chapter 4 it began with:
I. A Model of Judgment (Verse 1,2)
> In which the people of God's affection are the objects of God's wrath.
> In which the fall of the judged is inevitable.
II. A Wall of Separation (Verse 3)
> Which effectively separates the people from the presence of God.
> Which effectively separates the people from the protection of God.
III. A Bed of Iniquity (Verse 4-8)
> Which God has mercifully endured for an extended period of time.
> Which in later years had spread and incurred the imminent judgment of God.
IV. A Feast of Corruption (Verse 9-17)
> Which can never satisfy the hunger of a man.
> Which is disgusting and filthy instead of pure and holy.
The horrific pictures that Ezekiel has painted in the preceding chapter are not without a singular purpose.
God wants this nation, whose purpose was to show forth His glory to see the degradation and shame into which they have fallen.
They have abandoned the greatest purpose of all to embrace the basest of all.
Now we can move on to Chapter 5, where God speaks of Measured Judgment.
READ TEXT 5:1-9
PRAY
V. A Measured Judgment (Chapter 5)
> Which is to shame and humiliate the judged. (1)
God would shear away all of which Israel boasted to prove it was nothing without Him.
> Which is well-thought-out and balanced to fit the sin. (2)
1/3 part would be destroyed in the conquering of the city.
1/3 part would be destroyed in the wars to follow.
1/3 part would be scattered to the four corners of the earth where they would be persecuted by the nations around the world.
> Which spares a scant few from judgment. (3,4)
A very small remnant would be preserved, and even they would suffer in this judgment.
> Which will show God's holiness to the surrounding nations. (5-9)
Israel's place was to be an example of God's blessing to the nations.
Israel would, by obedience or by judgment, show God's holiness to the nations.
> Which is exactly what God has promised in His covenant. (10-17)
The text of these horrific judgments is familiar because it is word for word what God had promised would happen in Leviticus 26 if Israel fell away from him.
Our God is not unjust, nor does He fly into uncontrolled reactions that do not match the sin He is judging.
Every move is exactly what He has promised should a nation for which He has affection fall away from Him.
VI. A Proclamation of Lordship Chapter 6 & 7
> In which the high places are torn down to prove that God is Lord alone. Verses 1-7
> In which God fulfills His promises of judgment to prove that He is a Lord Who keeps his word. Verses 8-10
> In which the delivery of the message is passionate and animated to prove that He is the Lord Who cares deeply about justice. Verse 11-13a
> In which the landscape becomes desolate to prove that He is the Lord they need. Verse 13b-14
> In which the sin itself brings its own judgment to prove that He is The Lord. Verse 1-4
> In which final judgment is come to prove that He is the Lord that smiteth. Verses 5-9
> In which complete national disaster shall be fulfilled to prove that God is the LORD. Verses 10-27
Pride has grown into utter rebellion and senseless violence. verse 10,11
Military strength fails completely. Verse 14
Shame and reproach is widespread. Verse 18
Financial ruin makes money worthless. Verse 19
Foreigners and heathen tramp through the streets as conquerors. Verse 24
The Word of God is scarce. Verse 26
Leadership will be helpless. Verse 27
The preceding chapters should bring us to our knees in repentance before all this befalls our own nation, for indeed she was a land of great glory for God and has become a land of wickedness and compromise.
Let us pray for our country and repent of our sins that God might bless us again.
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