Judges 9
Judges 9 (New King James Version)
3 And his mother's brothers spoke all these words concerning him in the hearing of all the men of Shechem; and their heart was inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother." 4 So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men; and they followed him. 5 Then he went to his father's house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself. 6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, all of Beth Millo, and they went and made Abimelech king beside the terebinth tree at the pillar that was in Shechem.
Judges chapter 9 is one of the more difficult chapters in the Old Testament. However, the Bible is God's Word, and while some things are challenging to us, there is always life application for His Word, which is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Going back in Old Testament history, Shechem was where God made his covenant with Abraham, where Jacob settled, a designated city of refuge, the place where Joshua renewed the covenant, and where the tribe of Ephraim settled. At the end of Joshua chapter 16, we read that the Israelites did not drive the Canaanites out of the land as God commanded. In Judges 9, We find the result of the Israelites disobedience in not removing them from the Promised Land. God's chosen people were adversely affected by Abimelech. Abimelech, the wicked madman who received silver from a pagan temple of Baal and his hired band of marauders. Mercilessly they killed 70 members of his own family.
So, what do we glean from Judges chapter 9? God is still on his throne, nearer than our next breath, in control, always watching even if we choose to ignore him or not take His Word seriously, He is sovereign, and he still judges sin. We may think we are getting away with it; however, Old Testament history demonstrates otherwise. We find similar heeding in the New Testament in Galatians 6:7: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Prayer: LORD, it is so easy to shake our heads at the Israelites' disobedience, yet how many times are we guilty of the same thing, guilty of not following your instructions? You know what is best for us. Forgive us when we have thought our way is better, easier, or are just as obstinate and stubborn as the Israelites and do not follow your plan for our lives. Thank you for your grace and mercy that is never failing. In Jesus' name, ,Amen.