HE WASN’T FAT; HE WAS OBESE

Years ago, I took a physical as part of my pre-employment. The doctor’s written report said I was obese, not fat. That meant my BMI was 30.0 or higher. Either diagnosis is terrible. A king in the Old Testament fell within the obesity range. He is Eglon, the king of Moab. One day, during the reign of Eglon, an Israelite named Ehud came to present a customary tribute.

The book of Judges, in the Old Testament. says Ehud had made a double-edged sword, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. Ehud was left-handed. He visited the king to present the tribute to Eglon, a very obese man.

“After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way those who had carried it. But on reaching the stone images near Gilgal, he went back to Eglon and said, “Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you.”

The king said to his attendants, ‘Leave us,’ and they all left. Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his palace and said, “l have a message from God for you.” As the king rose from his seat, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into the king’s belly. Even the handle sank in after the blade, and his bowels discharged.

Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed over it. Then Ehud went out to the porch; he shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them. After Ehud left, the king’s servants came and found the doors of the upper room locked. They secured a key and unlocked them. There they saw their king on the floor, dead.” (Judges 3:18-24, NIV)

Ehud used his perceived weakness (being left-handed) to accomplish his goal. Allow God to show His power. In what you view as a weakness, God sees an opportunity to use you to further His Kingdom.