Scripture: Judges 9:8 – “The trees once went out to anoint a king over themselves.” (NRSV)
One of the most interesting parts of the story of the people of Israel comes from Judges, a confusing and often overlooked book. It tells of a time when Israel was not a kingdom, but a loose confederation of tribes whose leaders were sometimes called upon the lead that confederation in times of war or conflict as “judges”. This was a temporary arrangement and supposed to be based on God’s call, but some tried to turn their leadership into a hereditary office or to use it to advance their own ambition.
One such figure was Abimelech. His father was Gideon, who grew up as a farmer in one of the weakest clans of the tribe of Manasseh and had become a mighty warrior who fought off the attacks of the Midianites, a people from the south. Gideon had seventy sons through his wives, and another, Abimelech, through his concubine. After Gideon died, Abimelech conspired with the elders of Shechem, the largest city in Manasseh, to make him their ruler, saying that his heritage would be simpler than those of his half-brothers. Abimelech led a band to slaughter them and was approved as the new leader of the people. However, one of Gideon’s sons survived, a man named Jotham, who confronted the elders of Shechem with a parable about trees.
In Jotham’s parable, the trees ask the most fruitful plants like the olive tree, fig tree, and grape vine, to rule over them, but they are too busy to take the job. Finally, they ask the bramble to be their king. The bramble agrees, saying that if they keep faith with all the trees, he will protect them with his mighty branches. But if not, a fire will come out of him that will destroy them all.
Brambles are spotty and dry. They cannot provide decent shade and will burn quickly in a fire. Jotham said that Abimelech was like a bramble, poorly equipped to lead but excellent in creating strife and destruction. As you might expect, Jotham’s parable proved correct. The elders quickly tired of Abimelech and rose in rebellion against him. In the ensuing conflict, Abimelech salted the earth to prevent it from growing crops again and then burned the tower of Shechem down with thousands of people inside.
What does this lurid tale of ancient politics have to teach us about the world? We all know people who take positions of leadership not because they are qualified for it, but because they want to advance their own power or prestige. Sometimes, this are not the best choices for the role, but it falls into their laps through intrigue or through the inactivity of others. These “bramble” leaders in our lives are rarely chosen through consideration of God’s will. God has given all of us spiritual gifts and talents, which can be cultivated from humble beginnings to do God’s will, just as had been done with Gideon. But when we elect leaders, or make any other kind of decision, without thinking about what God wants, and just do the easiest thing, we fall increasingly into ruin. So always pray before making a decision and think about how God has already given us the tools to make the most of our situations, no matter how dire.
Prayer: God, help me to always seek your will for me so that I might know your peace and love. Amen.
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