Judges 9 & 10: God Reigns!
Verse of the Day: (9:2) Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
1. Reign (9:1-55)
And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. (9:5)
Only God reigns, and no one else! God is indeed the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Gideon knew that only God deserved to reign, and therefore he refused to rule Israel when the people asked him to rule over them. However, Gideon’s son, Abimelech, from his concubine who was in Shechem, eyed the throne of Israel, and with the help of the people of Shechem he killed his 70 step-brothers, except Jotham, the youngest brother, who hid himself. Abimelech then became the judge of Israel for 3 years. However, God spoke to Jotham that Abimelech’s rule shall not be for long, just like the bramble that shall catch fire and be destroyed, he shall be judged and punished. (Revelation 19:11-21)
2. Render (9:56-57)
Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren: (9:56)
God is not mocked as we shall reap what we sow. If we sow our belief and trust in God, we shall reap His blessings, however if we sow unbelief and wickedness, we shall reap His judgment. Let us commit everything to God, especially the wicked, because He shall eventually judge them. God judged Abimelech as the people of Shechem who once helped him now fought against him. During the battle, a woman from a tower threw a millstone upon his head, and injured him. Instead of seeking for help, he ordered his armour bearer to kill him as he refused to die in the woman’s hand. (Galatians 6:7-10)
3. Ride (10:1-18)
And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead. (10:4)
God desires leaders to lead their people so that they have a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty, yet many times they fail to trust and obey God, and therefore the people experience chaos and conflict because of unbelief and dishonesty. Unlike Jerubbaal, who strayed from God, the next judge, Jair, who had 30 sons riding 30 ass colts, walked with God and judged Israel for 22 years. Let us therefore pray for our leaders that they be godly so that we shall lead a quiet and peaceful life. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for being the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
