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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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ABIMELECH’S
SELF-IMPOSED MONARCHY Judges 9:1-21,
10/02/13 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert
I. ABIMELECH’S POLITICAL TAKECOVER (1-6) A. Abimelech Candidates at Shechem (1-3) 1. These events take place after Gideon’s
death (Jdg 8:32). In the last chapter we learned that after Gideon’s death
that Israel began to play the harlot with Baal and Baal-berith (Jdg 8:33).
But we also learned that Israel did not show kindness to the house of Gideon
(Jdg). 2. Abimelech was one of Gideon’s seventy
sons who was born from a concubine from Shechem (Jdg 8:30-31). Shechem was
located in a narrow valley between Mt. Gerizim and Mt Ebal (place where
Israel’s blessings and cursings of the Law were reiterated (Jos 8:30-35).
Shechem had been a significant religious center since the time of Abraham (Ge
12:6-7) and it was the place where Joshua reiterated the covenant of God with
Israel (Jos 24:25). Also, Joseph’s bones were buried in Shechem (Jos 24:32). 3. In chapter nine, Gideon’s name is only
mentioned as “Jerubbaal” (“Let Baal
contend against him,” Jdg 6:32). It was a fitting
reminder that as long as Gideon was alive, Baal never contended with him.
Therefore proving Baal was a false god. 4. [1-3] Abimelech went to Shechem, where
his mother’s relatives resided, and appealed to them to make him king.
Abimelech posed a question, “Which is better?” “Was it better for one man to
rule them or the seventy sons of Jerubbaal?” He added, “Oh and by the way,
I’m family.” He was reasoning that since they were going to have a king, it
might as well be a family member who have their best
interest in mind. It was this reasoning that Abimelech’s relatives used to
persuade the leaders of Shechem. B. Abimelech Receive Contributions 1. [4] With Shechem’s support came contributions for his candidacy. They gave him
seventy pieces of silver from the temple of “Baal-berith,” a god of Shechem,
means “god of the covenant.” Shechem no longer has a covenant with the Lord
but will Baal. Temple treasuries were often used for military and political
ends (1Ki 15:18). 2. With this revenue Abimelech hired
“worthless” (rēq - vain, without integrity) and “reckless” (pachaz
- wanton, do anything for money) men who were thieves and thugs for hire. C. Abimelech Removes Potential Candidates 1. [5] The cabinet of thugs accompanied
Abimelech in eliminating the competition. They committed mass murder of the
seventy sons of Jerubbaal by sacrificing them as it were, “on one
(slaughtering) stone.” 2. “Seventy sons” was not an exact number
but a literary expression. Hence, Jotham, another son of Jerubbaal, was able
to escape, having hid himself. D. Abimelech is Proclaimed King (6) 1. [6] Those from Shechem and “Beth-millo”
(“house of fortress”,
a close neighboring town, sometimes synonymous with Shechem) made Abimelech
their king. 2. The inauguration took place at the “oak
of the pillar,” a well-known landmark, possibly the “oak of Moreh” (Ge 12:6;
35:4 cf. Jos 24:26). II. JOTHAM PROPHECIES AGAINST ABIMELECH (7-21) A. Jotham’s Prophetic Allegory (7-15) 1. [7] Jotham, Jerubbaal’s other surviving
son, climbed the eight-hundred-foot slope (almost twice as high as the “Hole
in the Wall” Canyon (460ft) or Devil’s Slide (500ft) to be safely far away
from Abimelech. He called out to them in the naturally acoustic hillside, a
prophetic allegory for Abimelech’s self-appointed reign. Jotham presents his
prosecution case before God the Judge, after which the men of Shechem are to
give their defense to the same. 2. Riddles, allegory, and parables were
widely used in the Bible by the prophets (Ezek 15, 17, 23; Is 10:33-34),
Samson (Jdg 14:14), and Jesus (Mt 13; 21:45; 22:1; 24:32) .
They brought attention, mental intrigue, natural truths, and spiritual truths
together. 3. [8-9] Israel was the lowly mundane
“trees,” while the “olive tree” was perhaps any viable leader of Israel. The
olive tree was not as glorious as the Cedar tree, nevertheless, it had great
practical value to Israel (Ex 23:11; Dt 6:11; Jos 24:13) as well as religious
value (Le 24:2). The olive tree was asked to reign over the trees. However,
the olive tree did not want to leave its “fatness” (deshen - metaphorical
riches and prosperity) which honor both God and men. The allegory does
not necessarily refer to those who refused leadership, but suspenseful
portrayal of Abimelech’s lowly place (brambles). 4. [10-11] The trees the important but
lesser fig tree to become king. Likewise, the fig tree defers to its own
“sweetness and good fruit.” 5. [12-13] Then the trees approach still a
less valuable recipient, that being the vines. But they are involved with the
production of wine, which cheers God and men. This expression does not sanction
drunkenness and inebriation, but recognizes some value its commodity (Ps
104:15; Pr 3:10; 9:5; Jn 2:10 cf. Ep 5:18; 1Ti 3:3, 8; 1Ti 5:23). 6. [14-15] Finally the trees come to the
lowliest plant, one of which is inferior and unsuitable, the bramble (atad
- a prickly or thorny bush, i.e. buckthorn). The bramble accepts the rule
but with conditions. The conditions are that the trees must bow down and take
refuge in the bramble’s shade. If not, the bramble will bring forth fire and
consume the cedars of Lebanon. B. Jotham’s Explanation of Prophetic Allegory
(16-20) 1. [16] Jotham’s explanation of his
prophetic allegory comes with its own condition of treatment toward
Jerubbaal’s house. If the men of Shechem selected Abimelech in truth and
integrity, in that it was the right thing to do before God, and if Abimelech
was God’s choice instead of their own, and if they have dealt fairly with
Jerubbaal’s house as he honorably deserved… 2. [17-18] Before his conclusion, Jotham
shows that these conditions are not the case. Jerubbaal’s household deserved better than
Shechem and Abimelech have treated it, because Jerubbaal delivered them from
Midian. Instead they have dealt treacherously and killed Jerubbaal’s seventy
sons. 3. [19] Jotham resumes, but if they dealt with
truth and integrity, then they and Abimelech can rejoice before God. 4. [20-21] But if it was not the case, then
Shechem and Beth-millo would be consumed with fiery vengeance and wickedness
from the lowly, inferior, and unsuitable kingship of Abimelech. Then both
Shechem and Abimelech would be consumed by God the Judge. 5. After his prophetic allegory, Jotham
escaped and fled to the safety of Beer (Bi-ayr, “well”), an
town which is unidentified today. III. OBSRVATIONS AND APPLICATION A. Leadership acknowledges God’s ultimate
leadership (1Pe 5:2-4). B. Leadership is to be appointed by the Lord
(Ac 1:23-26; Tit 1:5-9). C. Leadership must have the spiritual
qualifications and integrity (1Ti 3:1-12). D. Leadership that begins with betrayal and a
lack of integrity will not be blessed (Tit 1:10- 2:1). |
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