Daily Readings - Wed Aug 23 2017
First Reading - Judges 9.6-15
Judges
6And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.7And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.8The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.9But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?10And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.11But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?12Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.13And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?14Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.15And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
Sermon
The reading from Judges presents a parable spoken by Jotham, the son of Gideon, in response to the people of Shechem appointing Abimelech as their king. Jotham uses the metaphor of trees seeking a king to critique the shortsightedness and self-interest of the people. The olive tree, fig tree, and vine—all fruitful and beneficial—refuse to abandon their purpose to reign, while the bramble, a thorny and useless plant, accepts the role, warning that if the people do not submit to its rule, it will bring destruction. This parable serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of choosing leaders who prioritize power over the common good.
In this story, Jotham highlights the importance of humility and selflessness in leadership. The fruitful trees recognize the value of their current roles and refuse to abandon them for the sake of power, while the bramble, devoid of true worth, grasps at authority and threatens harm. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God’s displeasure with those who seek power for its own sake, rather than serving others. The context of Jotham’s speech is one of sorrow and warning, as he sees the people of Shechem making a choice that will lead to their downfall.
In our daily lives, this parable challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes toward leadership and service. Do we seek positions of influence for personal gain, or do we humbly serve others, recognizing the value of our current roles? Jotham’s words remind us that true leadership is not about dominance but about fostering the well-being of others. As we navigate our own choices and relationships, let us strive to emulate the olive tree, fig tree, and vine—remaining faithful to our responsibilities and trusting in God’s providence, rather than succumbing to the temptation of power that harms others.