1. Judges 3:12–31 (ESV)
  2. Christocentric focus

Christ as unlikely deliverer

Judges 3:12–31 (ESV)

12 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the LORD.

If Ehud was the unlikely deliverer of Israel, with unpromising origins and an appearance of weakness rather than strength, then how much more was Jesus such a deliverer. Who would have thought that God Almighty would take to himself human flesh in the person of Jesus, be born of a virgin, for the purpose of saving us from our sins? He grew up with no form or majesty that should attract anyone to him (Isaiah 53:2–3). Yet he was the true Benjaminite: he boldly went into the domain of his enemy, took the risk of his own life, and in fact even gave up his life, to defeat his enemy and give his people true rest. The Lord used him to accomplish the greatest salvation of all, through the humiliation and weakness of the cross. The gospel is all about the Lord choosing what is foolish to shame the wise, the weak to shame the strong. Christ’s crucifixion was unexpected for so many, and it was the ultimate act of foolishness to a pagan.