This is a powerful story. For a change I thought of deviating from  modern studies to an ancient book written about 3500 years ago , called Judges in the Old Testament where we find a left-handed man whose weakness became a strength. Judges 3.12-30 ;

What is the book of Judges all about?

The book of Judges is essentially a record of the judges of the nation of Israel. These judges are not the same as the judges we have today. They did more just judging between right and wrong; they were leaders of the people—much like the chief of a village, the mayor of a town or the Prime Minister of a nation. The people in those days were not easy to judge or to lead.

EHUD

The one thing we will all remember Ehud for is found in 3.15 “Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite.”

Here is twist of irony not obvious to us, unless we know a bit of the original language, Hebrew. Ehud is from the tribe of Benjamin. What does Ben-jamin mean in Hebrew? It means, “the son of the right hand.”

Something was wrong with his right hand; perhaps, it was diseased or deformed. He was not only left-handed; he probably could not use his right hand at all. It was obvious to people who see him or meet him to know that he was handicapped in the right hand.

As we all know, many of us use our right hand. So the expression “right hand” has come to mean something that is strong and powerful. In the Bible, the expression “the right hand” is used in a number of ways:

The right hand side of a person is also a place of honour. So the psalmist tells us that at his right hand are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16.11). The right hand is a symbol of power and honour, blessing and deliverance.

So how come God chose to use Ehud a left-handed man, a man handicapped in his right hand? Matthew Henry, the Bible commentator, puts it, “…God chose this left-handed man to be the man of his right hand” Why?

One day, as the people came to pay tribute to the king, Ehud was there, representing the people of Israel. As we well know, whenever a king (or a president or prime minister) makes a public appearance, security is tight and guards are all over the place.

So it must have been for this king, King Eglon of Moab. We are told that he “was a very fat man” (3.17). He must have been a huge, imposing figure, sitting there on the throne, receiving visitors and their tributes. Soldiers were everywhere, making sure that everything was in order.

Then came Ehud. After presenting his tribute, he said, “I have a secret message for you, O king” (3.19). For that, he was granted a private audience with the king.

How could Ehud be given personal time with the king, alone, one on one? The reason must be because the soldiers looked at Ehud, a man handicapped in his right hand, and thought, “No problem, this guy won’t cause any trouble. His right hand is useless.”

The soldiers did not suspect anything, even after Ehud took his leave. They waited for the king to appear [Read 3.24-25].

With the king dead, Ehud rallied the people of Israel and went to war with Moab. Look what he said to the people, “Follow me, for the LORD has given Moab, your enemies, into your hands” (3.28).

Again, we ask: Which hand, right hand or left hand, or both? Probably both. God has given Moab into the hands of Israel after 18 years of oppression. With that, Ehud was able to bring peace to the land for 80 years (3.30)—what a remarkable achievement of a left-handed person, handicapped in his right hand!

One important lesson we learn from the story of Ehud is that God uses what is unexpected. If we were there when all these things happened, we would be surprised. We would not expect Ehud to become leader. The pagan king, Eglon, and his soldiers did not expect Ehud to be any threat to them.

In summary the lesson for us here is as follows: 

• Ehud, a left-handed man, became a man of God’s right hand.
• God does the unexpected by using people we do not expect God to use.
• God can accomplish his will through us even when we feel like “left-handed.” 

Never compare yourself with others and be discouraged- your weakness in God's hand becomes your strength.

Prof.Lakshman

Dear Prashant & Professor,

After extremely powerful tales from both of you on "Weakness becoming Strengths", let me share a real life marketing situation wherein the "Strengths become Weaknesses"

McDonald’s become the largest national fast – food chain in eighties. They had found their perfect recipe for success. And they were all out to defend their turf come the hell. McDonald strength was the hamburger, its uniformity instant delivery and inexpensiveness.

The advertising said about the top of the live, the Big Mac: “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun.”

What should be the best strategy to attack a leader, who is all out to defend his ground?

Simple, change the battle ground and rules itself. Study the leader and take 180° about turn and walk and choose your own ground to launch an attack.

That’s what burger king did to Mac. They study Mac strength and choose the stark opposite approach.

“Have it your way”.

Burger king advertisement exclaimed at Mac and attracted customer who prefer to choose their own way to eat their hamburger from their very own plate. “Have it your way” was a clear differentiator between the two chains. Also the effect was, Mac was squeezed. They can’t afford to tamper their hard earned, finely turned system in order to match the Burger king. At least not so early.

Thats when guerrilla wins the battle - when competition is not prepared and unable to turn around and defend itself.

Courtesy : Strength is a Weakness also by Arvind Kumar, NuttyMarketer.com  

Any more members with their views on the same..

Regards,

CHRM

To win...you must stay in the game" - Claude Bristol