Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands; (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian: And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech. (Jdg 9:16-20)
Jotham, the youngest son and only survivor of the treachery of Abimelech against the sons of Gideon, chastises the men who have made Abimelech their king. He calls them out for backing a traitor and a murderer and encouraging his sinful rebellion against GOD. Jotham reminds them of Gideon's service and judgment, and that GOD dealt well with the people of Israel during his time as judge and deliverer. Though Abimelech was a son of Gideon due to his transgression and adultery, Gideon never wanted to be king, neither did he look for any of his sons to take on such a role. But Abimelech had other ideas and desired to be a king.
GOD wants His people to follow Him and obey Him, that He may exalt those He has chosen in due time. He is the only one we should look to for advancement or promotion, for He is in control of all things. GOD may allow us to achieve some short term success in this life, but eventually, when we are working without Him and not seeking His will, we will find out the ladder of our success is leaning against the wrong wall. Just as Abimelech was eventually betrayed by the very people who had once supported him, so GOD will also allow us to fail that we may see our need of Him and for us to understand that without Him we are nothing and can do nothing.
GOD wants us to glorify Him in all things, and to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways. We are His servants, with the Word of reconciliation, to minister to those around us He sends us to, as His ambassadors, to meet the needs of those who are hurting and in need. We are His disciples, growing in His Word and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as we exhibit unfeigned love for the brethren in the body of Christ. We are His witnesses, taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within all who have repented of their sins and put their trust in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, and as we go, proclaiming the Good News to all who will hear, repent, and believe that they might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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