Abimelech-A Man Who Failed To be Great

Judges 9:1-57Key Verse: 9:8

“One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves.

They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’”

Part l: What It Means To Be A Great Leader (1-3)

Verses 8:22-23

• “The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.” 23 But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.”

 

• Verse 2,“Ask all the citizens of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal’s sons rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember, I am your flesh and blood.”

Jesus’ Idea of Leadership

• Luke 22:25-27; “Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.’”

Jesus set the example

• Mark 10:45 reads; “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

• John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Jesus’ reign is beautiful

• Isaiah 9: 6-7, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

Solomon Had The Right Prayer

• 1 Kings 3:9-13 reveals his heart. He prays, “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.”

The Disciples Need to be Humble

• Luke 9:47-48 reads; “Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest.’

The Results of Good Leadership

• 2 Samuel 23:3-4, “The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me:  ‘When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, 4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.’”

Part ll: The Bad Fruit of a Godless People (3-6)

They forgot the grace of God.

• verses 8:34-35, “and did not remember the LORD their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. 35 They also failed to show kindness to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) for all the good things he had done for them.”

Jotham reminded them of grace

• verses 17 & 18. “and to think that my father fought for you, risked his life to rescue you from the hand of Midian 18 (but today you have revolted against my father’s family, murdered his seventy sons on a single stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave girl, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is your brother)— “

He hired a motley crew

• Verses 4 reads, “They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech used it to hire reckless adventurers, who became his followers.”

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

• . Here are some excerpts from these verses… “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in Heaven -  Not built by human hands  …Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come …We live by faith, not by sight …So we make it our goal to please Him …”

Part lll: Jotham's Parable (7-21)

Verses 7b-15,• “…Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to

you. 8One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’ 9 “But the olive tree answered, ‘Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and men are honored, to hold sway over the trees?’ 10 “Next, the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and be our king.’ 11 “But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?’ 12 “Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and be our king.’ 13 “But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and men, to hold sway over the trees?’ 14 “Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and be our king.’ 15 “The thornbush said to the trees, ‘If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!’” 

Part lV: Our God Is A God of Justice And Mercy (23-57)

Judgment finally came to Abimelech.

God hears the cries

• Genesis 4:9-12 reads, “The LORD said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.’”

Jesus paid the price

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 reads, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

In conclusion…

• may we be saved from destructive selfish ambition,

• may God grant us pure motives to serve others for Jesus' sake.

• May we thank God for Jesus who satisfies God’s righteous requirements through his own suffering and death and not ours.