Does God favour the left?

To liberate Israel from the Moabites, God sent Ehud, a left-handed assassin, to carry out one of the most gruesome murders found in the bible. (According to Judges, the Benjamites were incredible left handed warriors that could hit a single human hair with a sling).

'Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a cubit long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man...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 in over it.'

Is there some hidden meaning here, or did God just recognise that 'lefties' kick ass? (And yes, i'm left handed).

I think being left-handed was simply notable, since most people are right-handed. If anything, God favors the right hand, since there are a number of references to being at "God's right", which is apparently superior to being on his left.

Originally posted by vivify
I think being left-handed was simply notable, since most people are right-handed. If anything, God favors the right hand, since there are a number of references to being at "God's right", which is apparently superior to being on his left.

Indeed, but one suspects a right handed conspiracy is afoot.

Besides, God himself must surely be left-handed, as Christ is sitting on his right hand.

Originally posted by vivify
I think being left-handed was simply notable, since most people are right-handed. If anything, God favors the right hand, since there are a number of references to being at "God's right", which is apparently superior to being on his left.

For a right handed person, it is much easier to defend against or attack someone on your left. You therefore seat someone you do not trust on your left, and a trusted person on your right. All the Biblical references to being placed on Gods right hand can be interpreted as being put in the trusted seat or seat of honor.

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
To liberate Israel from the Moabites, God sent Ehud, a left-handed assassin, to carry out one of the most gruesome murders found in the bible. (According to Judges, the Benjamites were incredible left handed warriors that could hit a single human hair with a sling).

'Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a ...[text shortened]... den meaning here, or did God just recognise that 'lefties' kick ass? (And yes, i'm left handed).

Ehud's story shows us that God doesn't discriminate when choosing servants to accomplish His will. Ehud was left-handed, a trait that was considered a disability in the ancient world. Ehud was likely thought of as deformed or useless by the people of his day -- yet God used him to win a major victory for His people.

God has a track record for using "rejects" to accoplish his will.

Therefore, I would not say that God favors the left, that is, if the left are praised by those in the world in ancient times. If left handed people had been the norm of the day and seen as superior and staronger, more than likely he would have used a right handed assassin.

My guess is that Ehud had a deformed right hand which forced him to be left handed. It would then make since that the king felt safe being alone in a room with a disabled foe.

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
To liberate Israel from the Moabites, God sent Ehud, a left-handed assassin, to carry out one of the most gruesome murders found in the bible. (According to Judges, the Benjamites were incredible left handed warriors that could hit a single human hair with a sling).

'Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a ...[text shortened]... den meaning here, or did God just recognise that 'lefties' kick ass? (And yes, i'm left handed).

Ehud was considered a cripple and in the culture of that time a left handed man was seen as not normal or weak. God chooses people not because of their strength, nor riches, nor intellect, etc., but the weak, the base things to show His Power and Glory.

1 Cor 1:27-29
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
NKJV

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
To liberate Israel from the Moabites, God sent Ehud, a left-handed assassin, to carry out one of the most gruesome murders found in the bible. (According to Judges, the Benjamites were incredible left handed warriors that could hit a single human hair with a sling).

'Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a ...[text shortened]... den meaning here, or did God just recognise that 'lefties' kick ass? (And yes, i'm left handed).

I'm left handed also.

Edit: but only for writing, everything else is right handed.

Originally posted by whodey
Ehud's story shows us that God doesn't discriminate when choosing servants to accomplish His will. Ehud was left-handed, a trait that was considered a disability in the ancient world. Ehud was likely thought of as deformed or useless by the people of his day -- yet God used him to win a major victory for His people.

God has a track record for using "reject ...[text shortened]... ed. It would then make since that the king felt safe being alone in a room with a disabled foe.

More than just "deformed" or "useless", the Romans had another idea of left-handed people.

The word for "right-handed" is "dexterous". Other definitions include not only the common "skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body", but also "having mental adroitness or skill; clever".

The word for "left-handed" is "sinister". Other definitions include "threatening or portending evil, harm, or trouble; ominous" and "bad, evil, base, or wicked" and "unfortunate; disastrous; unfavorable".

So the take-away here is: right-handed: good; left-handed: bad.

Originally posted by twhitehead
For a right handed person, it is much easier to defend against or attack someone on your left. You therefore seat someone you do not trust on your left, and a trusted person on your right. All the Biblical references to beinwarriors g placed on Gods right hand can be interpreted as being put in the trusted seat or seat of honor.

In the standard dinner place setting, the knife is to the right, sharp edge inward. A cultured friend told me it was placed inward as a signal that it wouldn't used for a quick slash. Maybe it was just her family rule.

In Europe the narrow spiral stone stairways in well-designed fortifications turn to the right as you ascend, making it awkward for right-handed warriors to strike out upward with swords and spears, and easy for RH defenders to defend. This info from a docent at one such example on the Rhine (Marksburg castle). In this case the attackers might well hire lefties, who would be considered "sinister" in its nefarious connotation.

Jesus was a Socialist so god must favour the Left.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Jesus was a Socialist so god must favour the Left.

Here is a structured debate on the matter from 2009. The protagonists were rwingett (for the motion, obviously) and jaywill, with Black Beetle commentating and adjudicating.

Was Jesus a socialist Thread 106799

Originally posted by Suzianne
More than just "deformed" or "useless", the Romans had another idea of left-handed people.

The word for "right-handed" is "dexterous". Other definitions include not only the common "skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body", but also "having mental adroitness or skill; clever".

The word for "left-handed" is "sinister". Other definitions i ...[text shortened]... te; disastrous; unfavorable".

So the take-away here is: right-handed: good; left-handed: bad.

I'm guessing you'e right handed?

🙂

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
To liberate Israel from the Moabites, God sent Ehud, a left-handed assassin, to carry out one of the most gruesome murders found in the bible. (According to Judges, the Benjamites were incredible left handed warriors that could hit a single human hair with a sling).

'Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a ...[text shortened]... den meaning here, or did God just recognise that 'lefties' kick ass? (And yes, i'm left handed).

Lefties at least we are in our right minds!

The word for "left-handed" is "sinister". Other definitions include "threatening or portending evil, harm, or trouble; ominous" and "bad, evil, base, or wicked" and "unfortunate; disastrous; unfavorable".


Interesting. I think this will be my new definition for those on the left.

Thanks Romans!! 😵

Ever wonder why, in Court, we put our left hand on the bible to be sworn in?

It's because the left hand is the hand closest to the heart. When making a promise with the left hand on the bible it symbolizes how a heart is pure, innocent and honest.