A Prickly Tale
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Judges 9:1-56 and Psalm 31 (NIV)
(Christina Stanley, SGM – Zone Core Team Member)
READ:
Judges 9:1-21 (NIV)
Gideon’s son, Abimelech, whose mother was a Shechemite servant, slaughtered all 70 of his half brothers in order to seize the throne after the death of Gideon. Only Jotham, Gideon’s youngest son escaped.
Before running away to safety, Jotham called upon the Shechemites to carefully consider their treachery and betrayal of his family, and examine the decision to anoint Abimelech king over them. Jotham shared with them the parable of the trees.
OBSERVE:
What resonates with me in these verses is the Parable of the Trees. The trees in Jotham’s cry to the Shechemites referred to the people, and their different capabilities.
The olive tree gave oil to honour God and men; the fig tree bore good, sweet fruit; the vine provided new wine to cheer God and men. Each of these trees would only focus on their respective role and purpose, but none was willing to go beyond, to rule over the rest.
Instead, they chose the bramble -to rule over them. The bramble agreed, but wanted every tree to come and take shelter in its shade . If they didn’t, the bramble threatened that they would be destroyed by fire. Clearly, Abimelech was the “bramble” in this parable.
This analogy is a stark reminder of two things – having the courage to stretch ourselves and serve, and examining our own leadership style.
Look outwards and have the courage to step up to serve. If any of these trees – the olive, fig or vine tree – had looked outward, and stepped forward to be king, they would each have brought with them their innate gifts of producing good olive oil, sweet fruit or wine. Taking on leadership did not mean that they would lose their purpose and role.
How much of a bramble are we? The bramble, as a weed, chokes up other plants through its dense thicket and thorns. This reminds me of a top-down, dominating leadership style that gives the message: “You must do what I tell you to do. If not, there will be consequences.”
APPLY:
Be courageous, step forth, and make the decision to serve with the giftings and all that the Lord has blessed me with. So many of the candidates that I have interviewed for edition two of Our Stories, His Glory have shared how they responded to sacrificial service, even though it stretched their time, resources and effort. How inspiring.
Examine myself, and assess my style of leadership and interaction with fellow workers. Do I give others the latitude to do their own thing? Can I trust them more? Can I pull back so that there is greater affirmation and encouragement? In the process, I will be a true servant leader.
DO:
Persist in encouraging others to trust God in providing them the time, stamina, courage, means and ability to serve.
Be a good example, as I respond to the Lord as and when other opportunities to serve come up.
Be more intentional and conscious of putting into practice Micah 6:8 – Do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with our God.
PRAY:
Lord, thank You for speaking to me through this tale of caution. It is a timely reminder to seek Your wisdom when making decisions, stretching ourselves to serve You with our giftings, and leading with grace and mercy. Even when things are going badly, teach us to trust and obey, knowing that You are always in control. Thank you, Heavenly Father. Amen.
