Eglon and Ehud sound like two made up names in a Star Wars movie, but in reality they are two Biblical characters who had a fascinating interaction. Their account began when the first judge, Othniel, had died and Israel had sinned, again (Judges 3:12).

A new generation came along and, hearing the siren song of sensual service, turned away from Yahweh and began worshiping the gods of their pagan neighbors. Baal (a god) and Asherah (a goddess) were their primary deities (3:7) and their worship was very sensual in the worst possible way. In order to satisfy the god and goddess men and women would participate in ritual fornication. This debasing “worship” allegedly promoted fertility and prosperous harvests, but in reality was just an outlet for sensual debauchery to satisfy human lust.

Yahweh was not honored or tolerant of their sinful choices and allowed Israel to be oppressed by Moab under its king, Eglon (3:12-14).When Israel remembered to call on God and He raised up a savior named Ehud (3:15-30).

So what does this unpleasant story tell us? Really just one thing – the awful price of sin. There is nothing cute or clever about sin, even when it is cloaked in so-called sensual service to God. Nothing can hide the stench of death that follows it. Ultimately only one death was able to pay the full price of sin, the death of Jesus, and thankfully God was willing to pay it. However, we must be careful that we don't turn our “worship” into a sensual service to satisfy our own lust.