I don't know why, but I keep having to take Judges in smaller and smaller bits in order to be able to understand it, and what I need to take from it. Chapter 9 is one of those chapters that contains so much information, that it just needs to stand on its own.
Before we jump in, we might need to get a handle on who Abimelech is, and how he is able to cause so much destruction in his story. First, he is just one of the 70 sons of Gideon, the last judge. Gideon was his father, and his mother was the maidservant of one of Gideon's wives. So, in the hierarchy of this family, Abimelech would have been pretty low in rank. The kinsmen he goes to in verse 1 are his mother's brothers. Since their sister was a servant, we can assume that they are a low-class bunch, probably living on land owned by Gideon's sons. That's why he had any kind of power over them.
Verse 2 The first lesson we can learn from this story is "beware of the smooth-talker." Abimelech was one of these. He twisted reality, telling them how terrible it was to be ruled by 70 men (the current government), and wouldn't they rather be ruled by just one man (the proposed, big change government)? He smooth-talked his way into their good graces, and then added, as a clincher, "remember that I am one of you!"
Verse 3 The men of Shechem didn't really think through Abimelech's proposal. They took what he said at face-value. He said to them, "I know you and how you live. I know what you need. How could I not? We are relatives!" And instead of really thinking over his "campaign" statements..."How does this man plan to get rid of the other leaders?" or "Is this man's character the kind we want to give unchecked power?"...instead of thinking it over, they accept his flashy promises of change, and fork over the money he needs to carry out his plans. My guess is, if they had known the kind of destruction he had in mind, they would not have been so eager to give him that power.
The next lesson I'm taking from this chapter is this: We need to be very careful how we pick our leaders, and who we chose to support with the money God has entrusted to us. It is our responsibility as people with God-given intelligence, not to fall for the sweet words of would-be leaders like Abimelech. Look at character. That is much more important than a relationship invented to persuade you into following.
Verse 4 These guys, these men of Shecham, didn't use discretion. And they handed the money over to Abimelech. His character was revealed right away. He went out and hired worthless and reckless fellows. Where did he find these men? My guess is that he knew them all along. You can tell a lot about the character of a man by who is friends are.
Verse 5 He pays these disgusting men to assassinate his brothers. They are methodically slaughtered one by one on the same stone. Sacrifices on the alter of Abimelech's vanity.
Verse 6 They make him king. I don't know if they approved of Abimelech's recent actions, but at this point they had no choice. I tend to think that they were scared, because they went straight to Jotham, the only brother who escaped the executions.
Verse 8 Jotham gives an interesting speech. Remember when the people went to Gideon and asked him to be their king? And when he wouldn't, they said they wanted his son. I think Gideon and his son represent the trees in Jotham's speech. And who would be the bramble? Abimelech. Gideon and his son, Jether, refused to take the position of king, because the throne was already taken by the Lord. But the men were determined to have a flesh-and-blood leader, so when Abimelech agreed to lead them, they didn't even consider it carefully. They might have even thought that he was the answer to their prayers, a gift from the Lord!
This leads to another lesson that we MUST take from this story. When you ask the Lord for something great, and He says no, wait for Him to bring along something even better than what you asked for. (The Israelites already had the "something better" in their Lord and King--if they had just opened their eyes to it!) God loves us and wants HIS best for us. He will not withhold the "olive tree" and send you a "bramble!" So when that bramble shows up, disguised as an answer to prayer, turn the other way. This goes for jobs, politicians, potential mates--everything. God wants HIS best for us, not our second-best!
Verse 20 Jotham warns them that there is trouble in store.
Verse 22 Three years! Not worth the lives of 70 men!
Verse 25 They are regretting the power they so readily handed over to him.
Verse 31 Wicked men employ wicked men. There is no way to trust each other.
Verse 48-52 The man has become a barbarian, burning his own relatives alive. Men, women, and children.
Verses 53-57 Abimelech finally meets his demise. It is interesting the way that God governs us. His punishment doesn't always come right away. Abimelech and the people who made him king were destroyed by their own greed and poor judgment.
Next time: Judges 10-11
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