And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length, and he bound it on his right thigh under his clothes. (Judges 3:16 ESV)
Ehud’s Sword
The Bible is described in the book of Hebrews (4:12) as a two-edged sword. As that book seems to be written with many of the Old Testament stories in mind, perhaps this is the sword that is being referenced. If so, we can note a few things about our use of the Bible in our cultural warfare.
First, Ehud’s sword was Personal. He did not get it from a blacksmith or sword-store. Your Bible is personal, too. Not because it was written by God for you particularly, but the Spirit will apply it to you, your life, your challenges, your successes. Read it for yourself, more than you read about it.
In Ehud’s case, the sword was Hidden. Not because he was ashamed. But to deceive the enemy. He did not walk around casually wielding it. But it was there. He was aware of that sword with every step he took. The Word of God can be hidden for us that way, too. Hidden in our heart (Psalm 119:10), rather than on our thigh.
But that sword was Obvious, too. The enemy foolishly did not examine Ehud’s intentions, robes, or gait. The Word of God is obvious in Christians’ lives, too. It is foundational. It is the main source of God-knowledge. It is right there behind every word we speak, every thought we think, every deed we do.
But our best connection to Ehud’s Sword is our savior, Christ Jesus. He IS the Word. He wields the Word. He knows the Word. The Bible ends with a number of descriptions of our sword-wielding Savior: Revelation 2:12, 2:16, 19:15, 19:21.
Ehud’s sword is our Bible.