March 3 – Judges 9:16-21

March 3 – Judges 9:16-21

¹⁶ “Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his deeds deserved— ¹⁷ for my father fought for you and risked his life and delivered you from the hand of Midian, ¹⁸ and you have risen up against my father's house this day and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative— ¹⁹ if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. ²⁰ But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem and from Beth-millo and devour Abimelech.” ²¹ And Jotham ran away and fled and went to Beer and lived there, because of Abimelech his brother.

In this passage, we see Jotham address the men gathered at the foot of the mountain. He simply tells them that no honor was shown his father, who fought the Midianites and rescued the Israelites. Instead, they chose to kill all seventy of his brothers so that they could follow Abimelech. Jotham knows that this relationship will not end well for the man or Abimelech as God is not in this relationship.

God wants us to come to him and seek his wisdom and pray for guidance as we live for him. May we remember to seek God’s will for our life so that we will be walking daily with Him.

Heavenly Father,

How often do I make decisions without coming to You?  How often do I lean on my friends or a book I read rather than calling on You or going to Your word for the answer?  Help me come first to You and only lean into others as You guide me to them and guide them to give wise counsel that comes from You.  Help me not put others in a place of honor that only belongs to You.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen