We see the conclusion of what started yesterday with the parable. Abimelech reaped what he sowed. One thing that is really important for us to realize is that as Christians, we do not believe in karma. That is not a Christian concept. It says that we get what we deserve. That is not what we believe. We believe that we get grace, which is not what we deserve. We cry for mercy, not judgment. However, while we do not believe that we get what we deserve, we do believe that we reap what we sow. If we sow love and grace, we will reap those things, and if we sow hatred and malice, we will reap that as well. What are we sowing today?

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Well, good morning. It’s good to be with you today as we continue our time in Judges. Yesterday, I tried my new system with GroupMe for sending out text messages. I hope it worked well. If you’d like to join our GroupMe morning message distribution list, just reach out to me through email at Andy@RevAndy.org. You can also message me on Facebook or other social media platforms, and I’ll be glad to add you. Additionally, I send this reflection out through email, post it on social media, and podcast it on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, so there are many ways to access it.

Today, we’re finishing chapter nine, where we’ll see the conclusion of yesterday’s parable about Abimelech. The events described in the parable are mirrored in what happens today. Let’s read chapter nine, verses 23 through 57—a large section. I may not read every verse, but I want you to see the overarching picture.

Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years, but God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the Lords of Shechem. Remember, the Lords of Shechem approached Abimelech to make him their king, as referenced in yesterday’s passage. This conflict arose so that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might be avenged. Their blood would also fall upon both Abimelech, who killed them, and the Lords of Shechem, who supported him in committing these crimes. Out of hostility, the Lords of Shechem set ambushes in the mountaintops and robbed passersby, which was reported to Abimelech.

Gaal, son of Ebed, and his relatives moved to Shechem, where the Lords of Shechem placed their confidence in him. They celebrated, trod grapes in the vineyards, feasted, and went to the temple of their god, where they ridiculed Abimelech. Gaal openly mocked Abimelech, questioning why they should serve him and declaring that if he were in charge, he would remove Abimelech. This sets the stage for a battle between these factions.

Skipping to verse 46, we see that when the Lords of the Tower of Shechem heard of the conflict, they sought refuge in the stronghold of the temple of El-Berith. Abimelech, upon learning of this, went to Mount Zalmon with his troops. He led by example, cutting down brushwood and placing it against the stronghold. His troops followed suit, and together they set the stronghold ablaze, leading to the deaths of over a thousand people—men and women.

Abimelech then turned his attention to Thebez, capturing the city. However, the residents fled to a strong tower, locking themselves inside and retreating to its roof. Abimelech attempted to burn the tower, but a certain woman dropped an upper millstone on his head, crushing his skull. Mortally wounded, he ordered his armor-bearer to kill him so it wouldn’t be said that a woman had killed him. The young man complied, and Abimelech died. When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they dispersed and returned home.

Thus, God repaid Abimelech for the crimes he committed against his father and the killing of seventy brothers. This repayment also extended to the Lords of Shechem, fulfilling the curse of Jotham, Jerubbaal’s son. The prophecy unfolded as predicted: alliances formed out of greed and desire for power ultimately led to their mutual destruction.

Yesterday, we reflected on the dangers of pursuing power or status without purpose. Today’s passage reinforces that message. Both Abimelech and the Lords of Shechem reaped the consequences of their actions. This brings up an interesting concept often discussed online—karma. Karma, an Eastern philosophical idea, suggests that the good or bad you do generates energy that eventually comes back to you. However, Christians do not believe in karma. Our faith centers on grace, not works-based theology. Grace means we don’t get what we deserve, which is judgment; instead, we receive love, mercy, and forgiveness.

The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, not by deeds. So, while we don’t believe in “getting what’s coming to us,” we do believe in reaping what we sow. Abimelech sowed seeds of discord, power-lust, and malice, and he reaped the harvest of those actions. Similarly, if we sow peace, joy, and grace in our lives, these are the fruits we will eventually reap.

Reflect on your own life—your family, workplace, and relationships. What are you sowing? Are you planting seeds of peace and Christlikeness, or are you sowing discord and anger? In the hymn “Bringing in the Sheaves,” we sing about sowing faithfully, knowing that in time we will reap a harvest of joy. Let us strive to sow seeds of faith, love, and hope wherever we go.

Thanks for being with us today. Tomorrow, we’ll move into Judges chapter ten as we approach the stories of Jephthah and Samson. These are some of the most compelling narratives in Judges. Have a wonderful day!