Topical Bible: Hypocrisy: Ehud

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Ehud, a judge of Israel, is a figure whose actions can be examined through the lens of hypocrisy, particularly in the context of his deceptive tactics used to deliver Israel from oppression. The account of Ehud is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 3:12-30. Ehud, the son of Gera, a Benjamite, is described as a left-handed man whom God raised to deliver the Israelites from the Moabite king, Eglon.

The narrative begins with the Israelites doing evil in the sight of the Lord, leading to their subjugation under Eglon, king of Moab. After eighteen years of oppression, the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and He raised up Ehud as their deliverer. Ehud's mission involved a cunning plan that some might interpret as hypocritical due to its deceptive nature.

Ehud crafted a double-edged sword, about a cubit in length, and concealed it under his clothing on his right thigh. He then presented himself to King Eglon under the pretense of delivering a tribute from the Israelites. This act of presenting tribute was a customary gesture of submission and loyalty, yet Ehud's true intentions were far from submissive.

In Judges 3:19-20 , Ehud tells King Eglon, "I have a secret message for you, O king." Eglon, intrigued, dismisses his attendants, allowing Ehud a private audience. This statement, while technically true, was a strategic deception. Ehud's "secret message" was not a verbal communication but rather the assassination of the king. When they were alone, Ehud drew his sword with his left hand and plunged it into Eglon's belly, effectively delivering Israel from Moabite domination.

Ehud's actions raise questions about the nature of hypocrisy and the moral complexities faced by those called to lead and deliver God's people. On one hand, Ehud's deceitful approach could be seen as hypocritical, as he used the guise of peace to commit an act of violence. On the other hand, his actions were in direct obedience to God's call to deliver Israel, suggesting a higher moral purpose that transcended conventional ethics.

The account of Ehud challenges readers to consider the tension between righteous ends and the means used to achieve them. While the Bible does not explicitly label Ehud's actions as hypocritical, the narrative invites reflection on the ethical dimensions of leadership and deliverance. Ehud's account is a reminder of the complexity of human motives and the divine sovereignty that can work through flawed human instruments to accomplish His purposes.

In the broader biblical context, hypocrisy is often condemned, as seen in the teachings of Jesus, who criticized the Pharisees for their outward displays of piety that masked inner corruption (Matthew 23:27-28). Ehud's account, however, illustrates a scenario where deceptive tactics were employed in the service of a divine mandate, highlighting the nuanced nature of biblical narratives and the multifaceted character of God's deliverers.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 3:15-25
But when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left handed: and by him the children of Israel sent a present to Eglon the king of Moab.
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Library

Book 5 Footnotes
... [15] These eighty years for the government of Ehud are necessary to ... Mephibosheth
made use of here, and 2 Samuel 19:24, wholly free from suspicion by hypocrisy. ...
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