My Name Is Eglon...
I was a king of Moab who ruled over the Israelites for eighteen years
Dear Fellow Believers,
My name is Eglon, and my tale is not a heroic one, nor one that ends in victory. I was a king of Moab who ruled over the Israelites for eighteen years, as recorded in the Book of Judges. My story should serve as a potent reminder of the sovereignty of God and the consequences of oppression and disobedience.
As a king, I was known for my might and my ruthlessness. I led a coalition of Ammonites and Amalekites against Israel, and with our combined forces, we were able to subdue the Israelites and rule over them. I made the city of Jericho my royal city, and from there, I imposed heavy taxes and restrictions on the Israelites, causing them great distress.
However, during these years of hardship, the Israelites cried out to the Lord, their God, for deliverance. The oppression they suffered under my rule led them to repentance and a renewal of their faith. In their distress, they remembered the God of their forefathers, and their cries reached His ears.
God raised up Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, to deliver His people. Ehud came to me under the pretense of paying tribute but instead carried a hidden sword. He requested a private audience with me, during which he assassinated me. My death became a symbol of God's judgment and sparked a revolt among the Israelites, leading to their liberation from Moabite rule.
My story, though not a proud one, serves as a powerful lesson about God's sovereignty and the consequences of oppressing His people. It stands as a reminder that God hears the cries of His people and will act on their behalf.
May my life and its end encourage you to trust in the Lord's justice, to show kindness and mercy to others, and to remember that God is the ultimate judge of all. May you find strength in His sovereignty and comfort in His justice, knowing that He hears the cries of His people and will always act on their behalf.
In reflection,
Eglon