A Left-Handed Son of the Right Hand

The story of Ehud is probably one of the most awkward stories in the Bible. I don't want us to get distracted by the bathroom scene or by the size of the king. But I do want us to notice the person God chose to use, because God makes a really strange choice here.

But when the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. (Judges 3:15)

Why does the Bible tell us he's left-handed? Where are my left-handers?

This is God's sense of humor. Ehud belongs to the tribe of Benjamin. Ben means son, and Benjamin means "son of my right hand." When Jacob named his twelve sons, Benjamin was the youngest, his right-hand man. Now God rescues Israel with a left-handed son of the right hand.

Trust me, left-handers are already awkward enough. I grew up trying to cut paper with y'all's scissors. My handwriting is awful because we smear the ink. I'm pretty convinced typewriters were made for right-handed people too, but I'll bring that up at another meeting.

God can use anybody

Here's the point: it isn't about Ehud. It's about God, and God can use anybody, even an awkward left-handed guy from a right-handed tribe. God can take what doesn't look like a solution and make it the solution. He might not solve your problem the way you think He will. He might come at it from a different direction. It might not look right because it's left.

A message from God

Ehud carries the tribute to Eglon, sends everyone away, and turns back at the stone images by Gilgal. Gilgal is famous. It's where Israel stopped before crossing into the promised land, where they were circumcised, and where the stones of remembrance were set up to say, You are God's people. That's where Ehud says:

"I have a message from God for you." (Judges 3:20)

In other words: we don't belong to you, King. We belong to God.

Giving God the credit

When it was over, Ehud didn't say, "Follow me because I pulled a fast one" or "because I'm stronger." He said:

"Follow me, for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand." (Judges 3:28)

He gave all the credit to the Lord.

We like our heroes to fight off the guards with a sword and escape valiantly. Ehud locks the door from the inside and sneaks out through the porch. He's not Samson. Samson looked the part on the outside. Ehud was totally dependent on God.

Use what you'd rather hide

What looked like a limitation may have made Ehud more dependent on God. People of prayer understand their setbacks and weaknesses keep them leaning on Him.

So stop waiting until you look like the obvious choice. Stop waiting until you look like a hero, because you're not the hero. The dagger isn't the point of the story; God is. "God, make me strong enough." No, His strength is made perfect in weakness. "God, give me courage." Actually, He wants you to have faith.

Ehud didn't hide his left hand. He used it. Maybe today your prayer is simply, "Lord, I don't feel like I fit the part. I know I'm not like everybody else. But I'm available. If You choose to use me, I'd love to be used."