Beloved, I am pleased to share with you today the above theme from Judges 9:15. Indeed, this sad chapter describes the rapid and frightening progress of the decline. For Gideon had once wisely refused for himself and his son the dominion that was offered to him, but then, with the flesh taking over, he gave his concubine’s son the name Abimelech (my father is king — Jg 8:30-32). The latter, by cunning and violence, seizes power. In contrast, see Jotham, the youngest of Gideon’s sons, the only escape from the horrific massacre of Shechem. He is not afraid to tell the truth and gives witness to the ears of an entire city, much as his father once did when he built his altar and overturned Baal’s.
The parable of the Tree King is so instructive for us. It emphasizes three things not to be left, and to be kept with care: first the oil or fat of the olive tree, figure of the Holy Spirit, the only power of the Christian; then the sweetness and the good fruit (of the fig tree) in other words the works of faith; and finally, the new wine rejoicing God and men, the image of the joys of communion with God and with one another. Indeed, to accept to reign here on earth, to occupy an eminent place, and to agitate ourselves for the world, would necessarily be to abandon these three precious privileges. May the Lord keep us all! But let’s take a closer look at this interesting story.
Indeed, this account brings us into such a sad phase of decline that it seems, at first glance, no longer contains even a place of refuge for faith. For the assembly of Israel, desiring to confer authority on its driver, a real wolf in the person of Abimelech who usurps the place of the Shepherd and seizes the flock to devour it. It is in fact the arbitrary authority of the wicked slave who begins to beat, in the absence of the master, those who are slaves with him, and who eats and drinks with drunkards (Mt 24:48-49).
This recalls in a word, the principle of the clergy in the house of God and its fatal invasions. Indeed, the wretched Abimelech is not a judge; and he seeks an even higher position: he is proclaimed king and takes, in the midst of the people, the title of governors of the nations. Openly posing as a dominator, he acts as the opposite of a judge raised up by God (Jg 8:23). And to usurp this place, he puts into play purely human springs. For through the brothers of his mother, concubine of Gideon, he seduced the men of Shechem in the name of fraternity. They gain confidence in this traitor; for their moral state is so low, that they forget even the bond that unites them to all Israel and say of Abimelech: “He is our brother.” For fraternity has lost its true meaning for them and is now only a name intended to characterize a party.
Indeed, the influence of this man is supported by the treasure drawn from the house of false gods: The usurper appeals to the purse of the people and does not despise the impure origin of his goods. Then this money is used to do the work of the devil. The treasure of Baal has replaced the strength of Jehovah and provides the usurper with the means to persecute and remove the seed of faith, the family of God. But only one, Jotham, the youngest of all Gideon’s sons, poor being without consequence, escapes and manages to hide.
Then Abimelech wins his case; the evil spirit triumphs, but will never be a spirit of peace between men. For internal tears, perfidies, struggles for influence, harvests that produce the joy of drunkenness, drunkenness that pronounces curses, Gaal’s ambition, Ebed’s advice, Zebul’s trick, Abimelech’s violence, this is what is agitated in the camp of Israel, when the witness of God has left him. It is a scene of mourning, carnage and hatred. But the Lord, in His grace, casts a ray of light into the midst of this darkness. For He does not leave Himself without testimony; that is why we can repeat it with confidence in difficult times.
For preserved by the providential goodness of the Lord, he “stands on the top of the mountain of Garizim” (Jg 9:7). Moses had once ordered that six tribes stand on Mount Ebal to curse, and six to bless on Garizim. Joshua, when the people entered Canaan, had remembered this ordinance, but from then on Israel had morally chosen Ebal, the place of the curse. But Jotham has chosen Garizim, the place of blessing, and stands there alone. Witness of God vis-à-vis an entire people, he raises his voice, pronounces his apologue in their ears, and proclaims the blessing of the faith and the consequences of the infidelity of the people.
This is why Jotham is, in his person, the representative of the blessings of the true Israel of God, he, weak and persecuted, but who could enjoy God’s favor and bear witness to him, bearing fruit to his glory. Indeed, in his story, three trees refuse to move for the other trees. They represent, according to the Word, the various characters of Israel under the blessing of Jehovah. First, the olive tree said:”Would I renounce my oil, which assures me the homages of God and men, to go and hover over the trees? “(Jg 9.9). Indeed, oil corresponds to the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit by which God and men are honored.
For God’s Israel could only realize this spiritual power by completely separating itself from the nations and their principles. For the latter established kings over them (1 Sam 8:5), while Jehovah was the sole ruler of the faithful people. Then the fig tree said,”Would I give up my sweetness and my excellent fruit, to go and hover over the trees? “(Jg 9:11) for Israel could bear fruit only in the separation of nations. Finally, the vine says: “Would I give up my wine, which rejoices God and men, to go and hover over the trees?” (Jg 9:13). For wort is the joy that is found in the mutual communion of men with God. This enjoyment, the highest that could be desired, was lost to Israel, when it accommodated itself to the spirit and mores of the nations.
This is an important lesson for all Christians. Indeed, the world, for the Church, corresponds to the nations of yesteryear. For if we obey His calls, then we abandon our oil, our fruit, our must, that is, our spiritual power, the works that God has prepared for us, and the joy of communion. Why would we respond to all the invitations in the world? Would I leave what makes me happy and strong, for sterile agitations, or to satisfy the lusts and ambitions of the hearts of men? This is why Jotham appreciates, like his father Gideon, these treasures of god’s Israel, and sets himself apart on Garizim. He keeps his blessed position; and in the presence of all this apostate people, he remains the true, the last offspring of the faith, and the only witness of God. What an honor for the young and weak son of Jerubbaal! For repelled by all, his fate is the only one worthy of envy, because only he glorifies God in this sad world. Let us be like him, separated from evil. We will taste all the products of God’s trees. For he who has enjoyed these things cries out: Would I leave them?
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
- General Examples of Conspiracy
Gen 37:18 They saw him from afar; and, before he was near them, they plotted to make him die. Nb 16:3 They assembled against Moses and Aaron, and said to them: Enough is enough! for the whole assembly, all are holy, and the Lord is in their midst. Why do you rise above the assembly of Jehovah? Jg 9:1
After Joshua’s death, the children of Israel consulted jehovah, saying, “Who among us will mount first against the Canaanites, to attack them?” 2 Kings 12:20 His servants rose up and formed a conspiracy; they struck Joas in the house of Millo, which is on the way down from Silla. 2 Kings 14:19 A conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lakis; but he was pursued to Lakis, where he was made to die. Dn 6:4 Then the chiefs and satraps sought an opportunity to accuse Daniel of the affairs of the kingdom. But they could not find any opportunity, nor anything to take back, because he was faithful, and we saw in him neither fault nor anything bad. Mt 12:14 The Pharisees went out, and they consulted each other on ways to make him perish. Acts 23:12 When the day came, the Jews formed a plot, and made imprecations against themselves, saying that they would abstain from eating and drinking until they had killed Paul.
- Judges of Israel, names of the chiefs who ruled before Saul’s reign:
1.Otniel Jg 3:9 The children of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up a liberator for them, Othniel, son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
2.Ehud Jg 3:15 The children of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up to them a liberator, Ehud, son of Gera, Benjamite, who did not use his right hand. The children of Israel sent a gift through him to Eglon, king of Moab.
3.Shamgar Jg 3:31 After him, there was Schamgar, son of Anath. He defeated six hundred men of the Philistine with an ox prod. And he too was a liberator of Israel.
4.Deborah Jg 4.5 She sat under the palm tree of Deborah, between Rama and Bethel, in the mountain of Ephraim; and the children of Israel ascended to her to be judged.
5.Gideon Jg 6:36 Gideon said to God: If you want to deliver Israel by my hand, as you said,
6.Abimelech Jg 9:1 Abimelech, son of Jerubbaal, went to Shechem to his mother’s brothers, and this is how he spoke to them and to the whole family of his mother’s father’s house:
7.Thola Jg 10:1 After Abimelech, Thola, son of Pua, son of Dodo, man of Issacar, rose to deliver Israel; he lived in Shamir, in the mountain of Ephraim.
8.Jaïr Jg 10:3 After him, stood Jaïr, the Galaadite, who was a judge in Israel for twenty-two years.
9.Jephthhea Jg 11:11 And Jephthaeus left with the elders of Galaad. The people put him at his head and established him as his leader, and Jephthhea repeated before the Lord at Mitspa all the words he had spoken.
10.Ibtsan Jg 12:8 After him, Ibtsan of Bethlehem was a judge in Israel.
11.Elon Jg 12:11 After him, Elon of Zabulon was a judge in Israel. He was a judge in Israel for ten years;
12.Abdon Jg 12:13 After him, Abdon, son of Hillel, the Pirathonite, was a judge in Israel.
13.Samson Jg 16:30 Samson said: Let me die with the Philistine! He leaned hard, and the house fell on the princes and on all the people who were there. Those he killed at his death out numbered more than those he had killed during his lifetime.
14.Eli 1 S 4:18 No sooner had he mentioned the ark of God than Eli fell from his seat upside down, next to the door; he broke his neck and died, for he was an old and heavy man. He had been a judge in Israel for forty years.
15.Samuel 1 S 7:15 Samuel was a judge in Israel throughout his life.
- Sarcasm
Jg 9:7-15 Jotham was informed. He went to stand on the top of the mountain of Garizim, and this is what he shouted to them aloud: Listen to me, inhabitants of Shechem, and may God listen to you! The trees left to go and anoint a king and put him at their head. They said to the olive tree: Reign over us. But the olive tree replied: Would I renounce my oil, which assures me the homages of God and men, to go and hover over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree: Come, you, reign over us. But the fig tree replied: Would I give up my sweetness and my excellent fruit, to go and hover over the trees? And the trees said to the vine: Come, you, reign over us. But the vine answered them: Would I renounce my wine, which rejoices God and men, to go and hover over the trees? Then all the trees said to the bush of thorns: Come, you, reign over us. And the bush of thorns answered the trees: If it is in good faith that you want to anoint me for your king, come, take refuge under my shade; otherwise, a fire will come out of the thorn bush, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. Jg 10:14 Go, invoke the gods you have chosen; may they deliver you in the time of your distress! 1 S 11:10 and who said to the Ammonites: Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you will treat us as you see fit. 1 S 17:28 Eliab, his elder brother, who had heard him speak to these men, was inflamed with anger at David. And he said: Why did you descend, and to whom did you leave this little sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the malice of your heart. It is to see the battle that you descended. 1 The 18:27 At noon, Elijah laughed at them, and said, “Shout out loud, since he is god; he thinks of something, or he is busy, or he is traveling; perhaps he sleeps, and he will wake up. 1 Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel answered: Let him who puts on armor not glorify himself as he who puts it down! 2 Kings 14:9 And Joah, king of Israel, had Amatsia, king of Judah, say: The thorn of Lebanon sent to say to the cedar of Lebanon: Give your daughter as his wife to my son! And the wild beasts that are in Lebanon passed by and walked the thorn. Ne 3.5 beside them worked the Tecoites, whose principals did not submitte to the service of their lord. John 19:3 they said: Hello, king of the Jews! And they gave him bellows.
- Parables from the Old Testament
-of Jotham Jg 9:7 Jotham was informed. He went to stand on the top of the mountain of Garizim, and this is what he shouted to them aloud: Listen to me, inhabitants of Shechem, and may God listen to you!
-from Nathan 2 S 12:1 The Lord sent Nathan to David. And Nathan came to him, and said to him: There were two men in a city, one rich and the other poor.
-of the wife of Tekoa 2 S 14:2 He sent a skilful woman to look for Tekoa, and he said to her: Show yourself sorry, and put on clothes of mourning; do not be anointed with oil, and be like a woman who has long mourned a dead man.
-from a prophet 1 Kings 20:39 When the king passed, he cried out to him, and said, “Your servant was in the midst of the battle; and behold, a man approaches and brings a man to me, saying, Keep this man; if he fails, your life will answer with his life, or you will pay a talent of money!
-from Joah 2 Kings 14:9 And Joah, king of Israel, had Amatsia, king of Judah, say: The thorn of Lebanon sent to say to the cedar of Lebanon: Give your daughter as his wife to my son! And the wild beasts that are in Lebanon passed by and walked the thorn.
-of the prophets Isaes 5:1 I will sing to my beloved The song of my beloved on his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard, on a fertile hillside. Jer 13:1 Thus the Lord spoke to me: Go, buy yourself a linen belt, and put it on your loins; but do not soak it in water. Ez 17:3 You will say: Thus saith the Lord, the Lord: A great eagle, with long wings, wings spread, covered with feathers of all colors, came upon Lebanon, and removed the crown of a cedar. Ez 19:2, 3 and say: Your mother, what was it? A lioness. She was lying among the lions; It was in the midst of lion cubs that she raised her young. 3 She raised one of her young, Who became a young lion, And who learned to tear her prey apart; He devoured men. Ez 24:3 Offer a parable to the family of rebels, and say to them: Thus speaks the Lord, the Lord: Place, place the boiler, and pour water into it.
- Examples of Murder
Gen 4:8 However, Cain spoke to his brother Abel; but, as they were in the fields, Cain threw himself on his brother Abel, and killed him. Gen 49:6 Let my soul not enter into their conciliabule, May my spirit not unite with their assembly! For, in their anger, they killed men, and in their wickedness they cut off the hocks of the bulls. Jg 9:5 He came to his father’s house in Ophra, and he killed his brothers, son of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on the same stone. He escaped only Jotham, Jerubbaal’s youngest son, because he had gone into hiding. 1 S 22:18 He came to his father’s house in Ophra, and he killed his brothers, son of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on the same stone. He escaped only Jotham, Jerubbaal’s youngest son, because he had gone into hiding. 2 S 13:28 Absalom gave this order to his servants: Be careful when amnon’s heart is brightened by the wine and I will say to you: Strike Amnon! So kill him; fear not, is it not I who order you to do so? Be firm, and show courage! 1 Kings 21:13 the two wicked men came before him, and these wicked men thus laid before the people against Naboth: Naboth cursed God and the king! Then they led him out of the city, they stoned him, and he died. 2 Ch 24:21 And they conspired against him, and stoned him by order of the king, in the forecourt of the house of the Lord. Mt 2:16 Then Herod, seeing that he had been played by the Magi, became very angry, and he sent to kill all the children two years old and below who were in Bethlehem and throughout its territory, according to the date he had carefully inquired about from the Magi. Acts 7:58 dragged him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses put their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
From all of the above, we note that theparable of the Tree King is so instructive to us. It emphasizes three things not to be left, and to be kept with care: first the oil or fat of the olive tree, figure of the Holy Spirit, the only power of the Christian; then the sweetness and the good fruit (of the fig tree) in other words the works of faith; and finally, the new wine rejoicing God and men, the image of the joys of communion with God and with one another. Thus, the moment has come when Jotham, having shown the people his folly and predicted his judgment, escapes and flees (Jg 9:21) to Beer. For repelled by all, his fate is the only one worthy of envy, because only he glorifies God in this sad world. Let us be like him, separated from evil. It was this Beer, where the Lord said to Moses, ‘Gather the people, and I will give them water,'” and which was celebrated in the song of Israel (Nb 21:16-18). Thus, in the midst of Christendom already ripe for judgment, faithful witnesses retire to Beer, the place of true gathering and springs of living water, the place of hymns and praise. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may be shining in my life right now.
Thank you Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby watering point to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow about “Paul who teaches in Ephesus. “
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.