As we start Lent with Ash Wednesday, we will begin a journey through the book of Judges examing the "heroes" whom we will come to know as empty men.
The first week's empty man is Ehud, the left-handed warrior who defeated Eglon the Moabite. He is a true warrior hero, saving the Israelites from the oppressor. Still, the intent of the book of Judges is to point beyond the time of the judges to something better (the collector of these stories probably intended to suggest that kingship was preferable). So, a general question for all of the stories is "how could this situation have been better?"
Read the passage here
The story of Ehud gives us the model of the "perfect" Judge with the complete cycle of the typical story demonstrated. The cycle of all the judge stories includes (though some are incomplete):
If you want to see my journal commentary on the text and stories of Judges, click here
The first week's empty man is Ehud, the left-handed warrior who defeated Eglon the Moabite. He is a true warrior hero, saving the Israelites from the oppressor. Still, the intent of the book of Judges is to point beyond the time of the judges to something better (the collector of these stories probably intended to suggest that kingship was preferable). So, a general question for all of the stories is "how could this situation have been better?"
Read the passage here
The story of Ehud gives us the model of the "perfect" Judge with the complete cycle of the typical story demonstrated. The cycle of all the judge stories includes (though some are incomplete):
- The people turn away from YHWH (divine name of God)
- YHWH allows an enemy to oppress them
- The people cry out to YHWH
- YHWH responds by raising up a deliverer (i.e. the "judge")
- The hero delivers the people
- The land has rest (meaning rest from warfare/strife)
If you want to see my journal commentary on the text and stories of Judges, click here
