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!