Judges 9:3 …they were inclined to follow Abimelek, for they said, “He is related to us.”
As I was reading Joshua 9, I was strongly reminded of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Abimelek, like Macbeth, showed leadership potential, but pretty quickly, it went south. It didn’t take long for both “leaders” to become consumed with power, to act rashly. Would it have changed things for either ruler if they had pondered Jotham’s question in Judges 9:16 “Have you acted honorably and in good faith…?”
Judges 9:4 They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, and Abimelek used it to hire reckless scoundrels, who became his followers.
For that matter, how often do I, in my daily words and actions, ponder Judges 9:16 “Have you acted honorably and in good faith…?” Would I change what I say and do, how I act, if that were a question foremost in my mind? Could becoming and remaining cognizant of that question aid me in my daily, hourly, moment-by-moment quest to abide with Christ each day?
Judges 9:5 He went to his father’s home…and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the sincere question in Judges 9:16. Help me to remain cognizant of that question, to apply it to my thoughts, words, and actions, to use it to help me stay aligned to Your will and Your way. Draw me closer. Always. Amen.
Judges 9:16 “Have you acted honorably and in good faith…?”
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.