Ehud: Ehud, the son of Gera, is a significant figure in the Book of Judges, known for his role as a deliverer of Israel from Moabite oppression. He is described as a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin, which plays a crucial role in his mission to free the Israelites from the Moabite king, Eglon. Ehud's account is found in Judges 3:12-30.

Historical Context: After the death of Othniel, the first judge of Israel, the Israelites again fell into sin, doing evil in the sight of the LORD. As a result, God allowed Eglon, the king of Moab, to gain power over Israel. Eglon, with the help of the Ammonites and Amalekites, captured the City of Palms (Jericho), and the Israelites served Eglon for eighteen years (Judges 3:12-14).

Ehud's Mission: In response to the Israelites' cries for deliverance, God raised up Ehud as a judge. Ehud crafted a double-edged sword about a cubit long and concealed it under his clothing on his right thigh. This strategic placement took advantage of his left-handedness, as it was unexpected and allowed him to bypass suspicion (Judges 3:15-16).

Assassination of Eglon: Ehud was chosen to deliver a tribute to King Eglon. After presenting the tribute, Ehud told Eglon he had a secret message for him. Eglon, described as a very fat man, dismissed his attendants to hear the message in private. Ehud then approached Eglon and said, "I have a message from God for you." As Eglon rose from his seat, Ehud drew his sword with his left hand and plunged it into Eglon's belly. The blade went in so deep that the handle sank in after the blade, and the fat closed over it, leaving the sword inside Eglon (Judges 3:17-22).

Escape and Victory: Ehud locked the doors of the upper room and escaped through the porch. Eglon's servants, thinking he was relieving himself, delayed in checking on him, allowing Ehud to escape to Seirah. Upon reaching the hill country of Ephraim, Ehud sounded the trumpet and rallied the Israelites. They seized the fords of the Jordan River, preventing the Moabites from crossing, and struck down about ten thousand Moabite men, all strong and able-bodied. This decisive victory led to eighty years of peace for Israel (Judges 3:23-30).

Significance: Ehud's account highlights themes of divine deliverance, the unexpected means by which God can achieve His purposes, and the importance of faithfulness to God. Ehud's left-handedness, often seen as a disadvantage, became a tool for God's deliverance, demonstrating that God can use any trait or circumstance for His glory. The narrative also underscores the cyclical nature of Israel's faithfulness and apostasy during the time of the judges, emphasizing the need for continual reliance on God.