Judges 9
Today's Passage: Judges 9
There are two major themes in Judges:
You will hear these repeated throughout the book. Well, in Judges 9, both themes come into play.
Abimelech did what was right in his eyes. He was a greedy man – displayed by killing all his brothers. You can also see his character by looking at who he surrounded himself with (worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him. v. 4). And Abimelech wanted one thing, to be in charge. The leaders of Shechem decided to make him the king (v. 6). And here is the problem: the people fixed the second theme (no King in Israel) by continuing to live out the first theme (did right in their own eyes).
God had not anointed Abimelech as king; therefore, he was not a true king for Israel. Abimelech was a greedy and sinful man, and God punishes him for it. And the themes of Judges continue – no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.
I think we can takeaway a couple of things:
Written By: Brice Stockton
There are two major themes in Judges:
• Israel did what was evil / Everyone did what was right in their own eyes
• There was no King in Israel
You will hear these repeated throughout the book. Well, in Judges 9, both themes come into play.
Abimelech did what was right in his eyes. He was a greedy man – displayed by killing all his brothers. You can also see his character by looking at who he surrounded himself with (worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him. v. 4). And Abimelech wanted one thing, to be in charge. The leaders of Shechem decided to make him the king (v. 6). And here is the problem: the people fixed the second theme (no King in Israel) by continuing to live out the first theme (did right in their own eyes).
God had not anointed Abimelech as king; therefore, he was not a true king for Israel. Abimelech was a greedy and sinful man, and God punishes him for it. And the themes of Judges continue – no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.
I think we can takeaway a couple of things:
• God’s Word is important for our lives. The Bible teaches us who God is and how to live a life pleasing to Him. His commands are acts of grace.
• Be careful who you surround yourself with. Abimelech probably didn’t just start hanging around “worthless and reckless fellows.” It was probably the people he regularly spent time with.
Written By: Brice Stockton
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