“Left-handed Justice”

Assistant Pastor, Chris Szulwach

 

INTRODUCTION– Why is THAT in the Bible? Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

The question we must ask is :

 

how is all Scripture “useful”?

 

THE STORY–  Judges 3:12-31

* Context: c.1314-1295 BCE, continued fighting for the promised land after their success at Jericho

* Cycle of failure & forgiveness: Disobedience Judgment Repentance Deliverance Disobedience Judgment Repentance Deliverance, etc.

* Eglon: The “fat calf” king of the Moabites who conquered Jericho

* Ehud: A one-man, one-handed, unexpected assassination squad

* Deception: Is lying sometimes acceptable?

* Double-Entrendre: “I have a message (=an unknown thing) from God for you.”

* Assassination: Graphic destabilizing violence akin to modern terrorism

* Escape: The dirty business of making  clean getaway

* Discovery: How long does it take a king to go potty?

*  Attack: Catching the enemy unprepared because of emotional chaos

* Idols Left Intact: If not rejected and destroyed, the cycle continues and the next chapter is inevitable

* Peace: ...But only until 4:1

 

 

LOOKING DEEPER– Reading below the lines

 

Take Out #1.  Don’t just follow the Bible; follow Jesus!  The Bible is not just God’s message to us, but also the story of human

Failures to follow God’s message.  Keep this in mind when reading.                        

Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25; John 5:39-40

 

           

Take Out #2.  God prefers to use “left-handed” people!  God tends to partner with people who have obvious weakness in order to accomplish His plans.

1 Corinthians 1:17-31

 

 

CONCLUSION–  Nothing is ever just a means to an end

Ecclesiastes 9:10; Colossians 3:17;

1 Corinthians 10:31