Scripture Passage
Scripture Focus
God was punishing Abimelech for murdering Gideon’s seventy sons, and the citizens of Shechem for supporting him in this treachery of murdering his brothers. (Judges 9:24 NLT)
Observation
God knows how to get it done, doesn’t He? Nothing was right about the behavior of either Abimelech or the people of Shechem as recorded in Judges 9. Earlier in chapter 9, Jotham declared all this clearly, and assured both city and king that God would act.
And beginning in Judges 9:22, God does. God “sent a spirit that stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the leading citizens of Shechem.” God dealt with the sin and treachery of both (specifically the murder of Gideon’s sons) by turning them against each other.
(As an added piece of humiliation, Abmilelech died when a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head. Wow—be wary of women with tent pegs and millstones!)
The whole passage, for me, is a bit frustrating. Israel’s decline continues, and—honestly—I don’t want to read about that. I’d rather read something a bit more encouraging and affirming, please. But there is a sweet challenge in the bitter record. It boils down to this:
For those who would dare to live treacherously when what is right and righteous is clear, there is the warning of a God so mighty…so capable of working justice among those who may think they are beyond God’s reach…that He doesn’t even have to “dirty His own hands” with some sort of direct intervention. Like the Midianites who destroyed each other while Gideon stood and watched, so Abimelech and the Shechemites destroyed each other while God flipped burgers on the grill. You can be sure of this: sin will run its course, and the result will not be pretty. As the Apostle James puts it, “…sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:15 NIV).
But for those who would dare to live righteously when any and all others live treacherously, there is equal assurance that a just God takes note, and will not let injustice go unpunished. Jotham was right—and proven right—when He waited for God to work justice in God’s perfect timing.
1 comment:
My favorite message that God speaks to me through the scriptures of Gideon is that without Him we can do nothing, but with Him we can do all things. Gideon's army was reduced to only 300 men in order that men would not boast of their own strength. The battle belongs to the Lord and the warriors position in this battle is praising and worshiping God. Their weapons were trumpets and shouts to the Lord their God! I like those kind of weapons and that type of battle! I can take that position and let God battle my enemies.
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