March 2 – Judges 9:7-15
March 2 – Judges 9:7-15
7 When it
was told to Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim and cried
aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, that God may
listen to you. 8 The trees once went out to anoint
a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ 9 But
the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my abundance, by which gods and men
are honored, and go hold sway over the trees?’ 10 And
the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 11 But
the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go
hold sway over the trees?’ 12 And the trees said to
the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 13 But the
vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men and go
hold sway over the trees?’ 14 Then all the trees
said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 15 And
the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over
you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come
out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’
Jotham, the single
remaining brother of Abimelech, calls out to the group of men concerning their
attempt to have a king rule over Israel. The trees that were mentioned provided
for the Israelites in one manner or another. The cedars of Lebanon were used
for building materials as they were very large, sturdy trees.
The only tree that was
willing to rule was the thornbush. The role of the thornbush was to provide
fuel if needed. There was not much shade to gather under. This tree, as a king,
would not be able to offer much protection.
Jotham appears to
understand that God did not want Israel to have a king. God was their king. God
wants to be our king and reign in our hearts. Have you allowed God to be your
King and rule over your heart and guide your life today?
Heavenly Father,
As I read these verses and
understand the symbolism I can’t help but think about how each of us is
different and have different rolls in Your Kingdom. To not follow Your will for
me is disobedience and thus a sin. How often
I think about sin as something I do that I shouldn’t, but it is also not doing
what You call me to do. How I sometimes
put myself and what I want to do over what You call me to do. How often I put myself as an idol because my
wants cause harm to my relationship to You.
Help me see those areas where I am disobedient and bring things into a
position of being an idol. Help me be
strong enough to get those things back in the right order.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
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