Abimelech’s Bad Example of Ambition

From: March 17 - 23, 2015

TOPIC: “Abimelech’s Bad Example of Ambition” Judges 9:1-5 Of Gideon’s children (also known as Jerubbaal), Jotham was the only son who remained alive because the others were killed by Abimelech, their half-brother, who was the son of a maid. Jotham was able to escape from the sanguinary hands of Abimelech. Then, Jotham began to speak to the people allegorically about the wrong action of choosing Abimelech as their leader. An allegory is something said in a poetic way that allows us to see a message. The power of God that was in Gideon was also in his son Jotham. Gideon had been chosen by the Lord as judge. God was not interested nor is He interested today in raising a king for Israel, God is our only King. So Jotham was invaded with fear because he knew how cruel his brother was, he knew of his ambition for power. Ambition is something that makes people become vile and cruel. Abimelech committed a great offense to eliminate all his brothers because they could cause rivalry in his leadership. Every person who leads others must understand that all members are necessary to him. So much hatred and rivalry just shows that the person is unable to govern. In reality none of Gideon’s children were interested in being king. In fact, Gideon was not a king. God was not interested in raising kings but rather judges. Judges governed very differently compared to a king. Gideon was called as a judge by God to serve the people. We have been called to serve our brothers and sisters. God did not call for kings. God has always raised men and women to serve in His Kingdom. We can see clearly that Abimelech wrongfully focused. When we are out of focus we can't see things as we should, the way that God wants us to see it. Abimelech ignored what the call of God meant. In his impulse for ambition he had seen what the call of Gideon was and he only wanted to exalt himself and rule. He forgot that Gideon served Israel and didn't reign or abuse of his power. We read that Jotham spoke in allegory, in a practical form, in a very careful way. Jotham spoke this way to show who Abimelech was. The people of Israel had walked away from God and did not understand that they could not have a king. But, Abimelech’s relatives became his spokesmen. He was usurping (taking over) God’s Kingdom. How bold and daring can a person’s ambition be! A deed that begins under the devil's influence cannot rise to give God the glory. Abimelech proclaimed himself as king when he was not. He took his own people and eliminated those who represented a competition for him. In that way he took the throne by force. Jotham declared in allegory what the people had done with perversity. His words spoke the truth and ended with a prophecy. He made a comparison with fruit trees such as the olive tree, the fig tree and the vine tree. The people knew clearly that these trees were of service for mankind to give oil, wine and sweets. The ministerial work is in silence. The tree of service makes a lot of silence. The people knew what Jotham was speaking about. When one rises to do well to others we must never forget that we were not born to be anyone’s master, no matter how much God uses us or how much God blesses us. The people had placed Abimelech as king even when he was not. A king takes dominium in his crowns and greatness. The place of utility cannot be used to reign but to serve! We have not arrived to be kings. Those who pretend to be king are always seeking to take advantage in

everything. Abimelech was that bramble that wanted to reign among all the trees. When we yearn for greatness it is because we like to be congratulated and applauded. The olive tree wanted to give its oil, its product in silence. Our service has to be in silence. Vanity arrives, greatness, appearance and wanting to demonstrate what we are not. God didn't choose us for vainglory or to be great, but to serve. Great is God who chose us to serve. What God wants is for us to be good OLIVE trees because we are important for His service. When God calls us He puts in us the fruit that we must take. But, how sweet vainglory is because this satisfies; it attracts, fills and provokes more! Some want to reign as the bramble but not serve like the olive tree. God called us to serve even when we are fatigued, until death. Those who like to take fruit for the well-being of others are like the olive. The devil will come strongly against those who are of great utility in giving his fruits. Let us not seek greatness among men but struggle to give oil. Those who are olive trees are the ones who serve. The Father does not want us to abuse of His grace by seeking greatness; that is not God’s plan for our lives. When we begin to feel too great we are no longer useful to God and no longer willing to serve. Careful! Mega Zoe was born to be a tree that gives oil to others. We are the olives to give oil. Mega Zoe gives what comes from God. The FIG tree was also conscious that it was of utility, as well as we must also be conscious that we are to be of utility; not to embellish or give shade but to give a sweet fruit where there is no vainglory or deceit, but purity. The olive tree and the fig tree did not yield to vainglory. The Gospel is not negotiable, it is not for sale. May God deliver us from being vain! No greatness or pride can fulfill us but rather they can destroy us. The VINE also gave its fruit and it was not to govern the trees. The BRAMBLE was an insignificant and useless plant that wanted to be something. Those who fall in vainglory are insignificant and insensitive. The bramble with its thorns expected compliments but didn't have anything to give. Those who like to boast are not of Mega Zoe. No one who is vainglorious can do well to others. Abimelech was that bramble, a plant too short to preserve a tree. In the third year of his reign all the evilness that was inside of him began to show. Fire came out of him and began to burn all those of Shechem as Jotham had prophesied. A perverse person cannot preside over others because he will only bring ruin. When a person seeks for his or her vainglory evilness begins to manifest. An olive tree is durable, a bramble doesn't last long, but if we want to endure we have to serve. What is vain will not last long. Time will show who is who and will declare what there is in each person. As time went by the evilness and the perversity there was in Abimelech came to show. Let us be faithful to God in our service; God will bless us and will always be with us. Amen.