Main Verse: Judges 9:22 – 57

Good morning!

Abimelech had usurped the throne of Shechem with the help of funds from the Pagan temple leaders. Once he was in control, he had his brothers put to death except Jotham who had run away. Jotham came back later to warn Abimelech using a parable. Abimelech had most likely thought he had gotten away with murder and nothing would be done about it until the day a Mocker (Gaal) came back to live in Shechem; The Lord had not forgotten what Abimelech did, He bided his time; when the man least expected it, an evil spirit was sent in to create a fight between Abimelech and his co-conspirators. Gaal was liked and respected by the Shechemites because he was from the tribe of Shechem’s founding family – Hamor whom Jacob’s sons had all but annihilated (Genesis 34:18-19); he thought he could whip up a fight against Abimelech only to to find himself in a fight he could not win. Later on, Abimelech was dealt a mortal blow when a woman dropped a millstone on his head.

The word “Reward” can be used both as a positive and a negative reinforcement (Matthew 6:2-4). When I reviewed the events that have occurred from 2016 to the present date, the word “Usurp” comes to mind and without having to raise a hand or throw stones, the Lord took the case to task. There are things that the Lord will not put up with from His children; one of them is when we try to usurp authority (Ecclesiastes 8:2). When we take something that doesn’t belong to us or usurp authority we will never get rid of the shame. It will be a millstone around our neck as in the case of Judas (Proverbs 20:17, Matthew 27:3-10). We don’t ever need to worry about the people who are causing problems, we are to warn them and then leave them in the Lord’s hands just like Jotham.

Father,

When we do things like Abimelech did, we create problems for ourselves and our families. Time does not wash away the sin only the blood of Jesus does that. We may be able to rewrite history, change the verbiage, and push the guilt off onto someone else but, in Your Holy eyes, it is still very much in play (Proverbs 17:15). Please help me today to do what is right and just in your eyes. I pray for my family, my city, my state, and the Republic of the USA today for your blessings on them.

In Jesus’ Name