We see a beautiful parable today about trees and power. In this parable, the trees go to two other trees, the olive tree and the fig tree, and ask them to be their king. But, they say no, because while they do not have power, they have purpose.  They are giving to others, and in that giving, they find purpose. Then they go to a vine and it says now, because likewise it has purpose. Finally, the thornbush, the bramble, says, Sure, I’ll be your king. It has no purpose; it only seeks power. Because of that, everyone will be destroyed. Today, are we living for what we can get?  Or what can we give? Are we trees? Or are we bramble? 

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Today, we continued our study in Judges, and I’m trying a new way to send out the devotional via text message through GroupMe. While I used Remind101 previously, their system changed, and I haven’t found a perfect alternative. GroupMe allows you to receive messages as texts even without the app. I also send it via email upon request and share it on Facebook and YouTube.

Today, we’re looking at a fascinating parable in Judges 9:7-21 about leadership. It feels similar to Jesus’ parables or even Aesop’s fables. The parable describes the trees seeking a king. They approach the olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine, but each declines, unwilling to give up their valuable contributions for the sake of ruling. The olive tree wouldn’t stop producing its oil that honors God and mortals, the fig tree wouldn’t cease its sweet fruit, and the vine wouldn’t stop making its wine that cheers God and mortals.

Finally, the trees ask the bramble to reign over them. The bramble agrees conditionally, demanding they take refuge in its shade and threatening fire if they are not sincere. Jotham, who tells this parable, stands on Mount Gerizim and addresses the lords of Shechem. He reminds them of Gideon’s service and their subsequent betrayal of his house by killing his seventy sons and making Abimelech, the son of Gideon’s slave woman, their king simply because he is their kinsman.

Jotham suggests that if their actions toward Gideon’s house were in good faith, they should rejoice in Abimelech’s rule, and he in theirs. However, if not, he prophesies fire will come from Abimelech to devour the lords of Shechem and Beth Millo, and fire will come from them to devour Abimelech. Jotham then flees to Beer to escape his brother Abimelech.

This parable illustrates concepts of kingship, power, and lordship within their culture. Later in the Bible, in Samuel, Israel desires a king like their neighbors, leading to Samuel’s offense but God’s explanation that they are rejecting Him.

In the parable, the olive, fig, and vine represent those fulfilled in their purpose, contributing good to others. They see no value in exchanging their meaningful work for meaningless power. This highlights the biblical truth of contentment. We often chase power, wealth, and fame, but true fulfillment comes not from what we acquire but from what we give. Giving our lives away and finding contentment in that is where we truly find life.

Today, we should consider if we are like the olive tree, fig tree, or vine, serving and bringing peace and hope to others. Are we using our lives for a greater purpose, or are we simply seeking to accumulate? Jotham’s parable warns that the lords of Shechem sought a king, settling for the bramble, which only desires power. If this isn’t God’s will, fire will destroy both them and the bramble.

If we seek anything other than Jesus for our identity and purpose, it will ultimately destroy us. The lords of Shechem were acting for their own benefit, installing their kin, Abimelech, who, like a bramble, only sought power, even through violence. This momentary power will not bring life, joy, or lasting worth, only temporary status that will eventually lead to destruction.

We must be careful what we seek. Do we seek purpose in loving, serving, and following Christ, or are we only pursuing earthly possessions and power with no eternal value? These earthly desires can create a fire that consumes both us and what we crave. The olive, fig, and vine find purpose in giving, while the bramble, focused only on taking, is ultimately destroyed.

Are we living to serve others and advance the gospel, or are we solely focused on self-profit, which will ultimately lead to ruin? Tomorrow, we will see the outcome of this situation, and given today’s tone, it likely did not end well. Thank you for joining us.