“Ehud”

​B I B L E  B I T S  &  B I T E S
Devotions for Families

Season 3: Judges
Episode 2: “Ehud”
Today’s Bible Bite: Judges 3:12-30

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOYy8iCfIJ4 (The Bible Project – Judges)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ula8IhP8XFI (Grace Church – Ehud)

“Once again the Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight, and the LORD gave King Eglon of Moab control over Israel because of their evil.” (Judges 3:12)

After Othniel had rescued the people of Israel, they enjoyed forty years of peace. But it didn’t last. Once again they turned their backs on God and He allowed the Moabites to conquer the people. For eighteen years, King Eglon of the Moabites ruled the people and they were forced to pay him tribute. The people prayed to God to rescue them and God chose a new leader, Ehud.

The people asked Ehud to deliver their tribute to King Eglon, but Ehud had a plan from God to rescue the people. After they gave the king their gifts and were on their way back home, Ehud returned to King Eglon and told him he had a secret message for him. King Eglon didn’t suspect a thing and told all of his servants to leave the room. Once alone, Ehud killed the king and then escaped. He was able to get away because the king’s servants thought he was using the toilet!

With the king now dead, Ehud rallied the Israelites and they defeated the Moabites. After that they again enjoyed a time of freedom—eighty years—but again they forgot the lesson they have learned and would find themselves once again conquered by an enemy nation and in need of God’s help. This time God would help them with the help of some women…but that’s tomorrow’s story.

Think about it...
• The Israelites had enjoyed forty years of peace and then trouble came. Why did God allow the Moabites to conquer the people?
• For eighteen years, the Moabites made life miserable for the Israelites. Why did God help them?
• God chose Ehud to rescue the people. What did Ehud do?
• After the Israelites were once again free from the Moabites, they enjoyed peace for eighty years. Do you think they should have learned their lesson?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, that you are patient and forgiving. Just like the Israelites, we can often forget how we should always obey you. Thank you that you will help us when we ask you to forgive us, just like you did for the Israelites.