Judges 9:1-25
This sad chapter describes the rapid and horrifying process of decline. Earlier Gideon had wisely refused the rule which had been offered to him and his sons. But now one of his sons, Abimelech, takes power by trickery and violence. In contrast, notice Jotham, Gideon’s youngest son, who was the only survivor of the frightful massacre at Shechem. He is not afraid to tell the truth and to bear witness to all the people in the town, rather like his father once did when he built his altar and threw down the altar of Baal.
The parable of the king of the trees has much to teach us. It emphasizes three things which we must not let go but must guard carefully:–
1. The oil or the fatness of the olive tree, a figure of the Holy Spirit, the only source of power for the Christian.
2. The sweetness and the good fruit (of the fig tree), in other words, the works of faith.
3. The wine which cheers God and man, a picture of communion with God and with one another.
If we accept authority down here, in other words, occupy a place of eminence and become very involved with the world, we will have to give up these three privileges. May the Lord keep us all from this!