Let's turn to the Lord in prayer.
Fathers, we come to this moment, especially in light of the songs that we just sang this morning.
! We're mindful of how unworthy we are before a holy God.
And what we really deserve in terms of your punishment on us because of sin.
But also reminded of the fact that where sin abounds, their grace abounds all the more.
Thank you for grace, Lord.
Thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ.
For the offer of salvation that is given to us through His death, through His resurrection,
through Him paying the price of our sin, rising again, offering us life through His name,
through faith in Christ.
And Lord, we praise you for forgiveness that's possible.
Not because we have earned it, but because of grace.
And Lord, even now, as we look into your Word,
we're reminded of the fact that even in looking at your Word, we need grace.
Your grace to help us to understand what your Word says.
Your grace to bring conviction to our hearts
and to help us, by your power, to walk in obedience,
to walk in your steps, and to please you.
Lord, this passage this morning
reminds us of the incredible power of families
and the incredible opportunity that we have as parents, moms and dads,
to build into our families not only an affection for the Word of God,
but helping them see the pattern of how that life is meant to be lived.
Lord, I pray that you would help us in that process,
not only to understand what your Word says, but to live it out.
And that we can trust and rest in your grace
to do the work that we cannot do in the hearts of our children,
in the hearts of our loved ones,
in the hearts of our friends.
And so we pray that you would do that work even now.
Prepare our hearts and go before us
and do the work of leading us into truth
and helping us to walk in it.
We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
It's good to see each of you this morning.
Thanks for letting our family be away for the last couple of weeks.
We had a great time together.
Just kind of kicking back and relaxing a little bit,
but also in being able to go to a few places,
both in Pennsylvania and New York.
And so thanks for the opportunity to do that.
It's great to be a part of a church where you have gifted men
who can kind of bring the Word for you
and kind of carry that load.
So I'm grateful for our men at Maranatha
who can do that and for the faithfulness to the Scripture
and for the way that they help lead our hearts in that way.
One of the things that's been maybe a bit surprising to me
as we have worked through this series
and have been introduced to the book of Judges
is this theme that keeps coming up over and over again
that I probably knew something about,
but it's really come out in force
and it's really been surprising
and that is the importance of families.
The importance of leadership in our homes,
moms and dads who love the Bible,
who are teaching the Scriptures to their children
and are helping to model that for their families
and the beauty of that and the promise of that
and the blessing of that
that God uses His Word instrumentally
to accomplish His purposes.
We've seen that.
And I know it's not maybe as clear as it could be or should be,
but the pattern of the judges is the same way.
When we think about judges,
we think of courtroom officials.
We think of those who are kind of legislating the law,
helping to bring a verdict
and helping to stand as a champion of the law
for the people that are there,
representing the law to the people.
And in a similar way,
the pattern has been set for us also
in the book of Deuteronomy for judges as well.
And instead of courtroom officials,
judges in the Old Testament,
by design,
were meant to be local leaders.
Really, they were to be family heads,
heads of households,
fathers,
who were helping to provide that leadership,
that proximate,
immediate,
present leadership
for their families.
And what law did they have
to work from?
Well, they had the law of God,
the law of Moses,
the Pentateuch,
the first five books of the Bible.
And in presenting that word,
that law,
to their children,
they would be able to enjoy the benefits
of that relationship
that they have with God.
That covenant promised relationship
with God
was strengthened
and perpetuated
and blessed
by God
as they followed
his instructions.
And of course,
Joshua becomes the first test case.
He becomes kind of that first example
as the people are moving
into the promised land
of one who's committed
to the law of God
and modeling for the people
what that kind of life looks like.
We saw that in Joshua 1.8
where it says this,
this book of the law
shall not depart from your mouth,
but you shall meditate on it
day and night
so that you may be careful
to do according to all
that is written in it
for then
you will make your way prosperous
and then
you will have good success.
And God was faithful
to allow Joshua
and those who followed
his leadership
to enjoy the benefits
of that conquest
moving into the promised land
and saying
God is faithful.
He's faithful to his word
and when faithful men
follow God's word faithfully
then there's the blessing,
the fruit of that
that bears
in the lives of the nation
and the blessing
that God gives to a people.
And that's why
at the close of Joshua's life
we find this statement
from him
choose you this day
whom you will serve
but as for me
and my household
will serve the Lord.
That's the model,
that's the pattern
that has been set for us.
And so our family
over the last couple of weeks
got a chance
to kind of see
a taste of that
as I went back to Pittsburgh
it was the first time
in a very long time
I've been back to Pittsburgh
and my grandpa and grandma
were instrumental
in planting a church
there in Pittsburgh.
We got to go back
and see that church.
We got to go back
and reminisce
a little bit
about the faithful ministry
of that pastor
who came to that church
the word of God
that raised up people
and the health
of that congregation
that produced itself
and the effects of it
were still visible
in the building
and the property
that was there.
But then the pastor
that came after him
did not prioritize
the scripture
and so now it's a shell
of what it was
when my grandparents
were first there.
It's a reminder again
of this principle
the word of God
embracing the word
presenting the word
teaching the word
patterning the word
and the benefits of that
is what we see
in Joshua's life.
Our next stop
was in Lock Haven
in Pennsylvania
and I was
my dad was
an assistant pastor
in Lock Haven
50 years ago
and this was the
first time
in 50 years
I was able to go back
to that church
and it was amazing
that some of those people
that were there
during my dad's ministry
they're still there
and I recognized them
it was amazing
to be able to go
to certain classrooms
and remember
specific things
that were taught to me
from specific teachers
and I try not to
prolong this too much
but one experience
I was probably
about three years old
when this happened
and one of my teachers
said
I told one of my teachers
I know Jesus sinned
and she's like
uh uh
Jesus did not
not sin
but I was sure
he sinned
because I remembered
the story
about Jesus
staying in Jerusalem
when his parents
went back
to Nazareth
and I was sure
that was the example
and you know
I
isn't it neat
how God uses
teachers
to help
help correct us
and uh
and sometimes
sometimes we
we err
and uh
we have
we have teachers
that still love us
through that process
but
but faithful people
faithful
servants of the Lord
still at that church
and uh
and seeing that
the benefits of
of ministry
faithful ministry
from the word of God
that's still happening there
their third stop
was in New York
and we were in
Allegheny, New York
that was where my
my grandpa Ross
was a pastor
for many many years
and again
uh
the people that are
still there
many of them
were people that
I went to their pool
and I
I swam with their kids
and and there they are
still still there
faithful
faithful servants
of the Lord
and the
the pattern
of faithful ministry
from faithful people
and the results
of that
the benefits
the blessings
of that
that are bearing out
in
in that place
it was a
it was an important
reminder
to me
it's also a reminder
as we step into
into
uh
Judges chapter 9
I would encourage you
to open
with me
if you would
to Judges chapter 9
if you're using
the Pew Bible
it's on page
208
in the Pew Bible
it was a reminder
to me that
that God
himself
is our father
and we find that
all the way
kind of embedded
in the law
Exodus chapter 4
verse 22 says
thus says the Lord
Israel
is my
firstborn son
Deuteronomy
chapter 14
1
you are sons
of the Lord
your God
Deuteronomy 32
6
is he not
your father
who created you
who made you
and established you
we see the
this
relationship
that God
has with his
people
God is
father
the heavenly
father
and we recognize
his leadership
over us
in that way
and this morning
we're gonna see
again
not the
the good leadership
of our heavenly
father
but we're gonna see
I believe
this this pattern
of failed leadership
that begins to work
its way out
in Abimelech
this this character
that we'll look at
in in Judges
chapter 9
and and we see
in Abimelech
the tragedy
of self-made rule
the tragedy
of self-made rule
Abimelech
propped himself up
his ambition
his desire
his empire building
his spirit
is gonna come
front and center
to us
we're gonna see
that he will demand
to be to be
to be made king
and his
the tragedy
written over his life
is a tragedy
of this self-made rule
grasping for power
rather than submitting
to God
rather than following
his directions
and it came
as we're gonna see
as a product
of compromise
and I'm gonna try
to focus on this
briefly
so we can
so we can really
get through this material
in a way
that's beneficial
but if you're there
with me
in Judges chapter 9
I'm gonna read
the first five verses
we're gonna concentrate
about 90%
of our time
on these five verses
so when it gets
to the end
you're like
ah
we only have
10 minutes to go
and he still has
50 verses left
well that's okay
we're gonna
we'll get
we'll get through
okay
we'll get through
I just wanna
to prepare you
for this
here we go
verse 1
now Abimelech
the son of Jerubal
went to Shechem
to his mother's
relatives
and said to them
and to the whole clan
of his mother's family
say in the ears
of all the leaders
of Shechem
which is better
for you
that all 70 sons
of Jerubal
rule over you
or that I
that one rule over you
remember also
that I am
your bone
and your flesh
and his mother's
relatives
spoke all these words
on his behalf
in the ears
of all the leaders
of Shechem
and their hearts
inclined to follow
Abimelech
for they said
he is our brother
and they gave him
70 pieces of silver
out of the house
of Baal-berit
which
with which
Abimelech hired
worthless
and reckless fellows
who followed after him
and he went to his
father's house
at Ophrah
and killed his brothers
the sons of Jerubal
70 men
on one stone
but Jotham
the youngest son
of Jerubal
was left
for he hid
himself
as we enter
this scene
I wonder what
questions
might be running
through your mind
and the same
kinds of questions
that were running
through my mind
after reading
this amazing story
of Gideon
and this example
of faith
and how God
raised him up
and the spirit
of the Lord
was upon him
and great victory
was wrought
and then we get
to Abimelech
and we're like
what in the world
just happened
where did this
come from
who is this guy
what is going on
how did a man
who is used
of God
Gideon
how did he
leave a family
in such a mess
how is that
even possible
and I think
the answer
that we're going
to find
is sobering one
it's a sobering
answer
that we find
it's embedded
in our text
it's obvious
for us
it's here
it's accessible
we don't have
to make
stories
we don't have
to draw out
things that aren't
available to us
we just look
in the word of God
and the clues
are embedded
here for us
and Pastor David
so faithfully
last week
looked at the life
of Gideon
and I don't want
to hijack
all the things
that he said
but in order
for us to really
appreciate
what's going on
here
we look at
this life
of Abimelech
and by the way
he's the only
example
in the book
of Judges
where there is
a father
son
who are
kind of
leading
one right
after the other
so it provides
this perfect
test case
for us
to see
this example
I believe
of failed
leadership
failed training
he is a product
Abimelech
is a product
of his training
he is the
outworking
of his
conditioning
and he just
carries things
to maturity
we see
here in the
first several
verses
he's the
product
of a
compromised
legacy
that's
point
number
one
Abimelech
is the
product
of a
compromised
legacy
his father
Gideon
in the
compromised
legacy
that then
leads
to Abimelech
remember
that the
book of
Judges
is this
historical
record
for us
it's a
way for
us to
see
what the
family
pattern
looks like
right up
close
and here
it is
it's laid
out for
us in
this book
to see
not only
the power
of a
family
that's
walking
after the
Lord
but also
the danger
the path
that Gideon
sets
is just
a road
that Abimelech
takes to
its ultimate
culmination
it's the only
time like I
said in the
book of
Judges
where we
find this
father son
leadership
duo
and it's
here for a
reason for
us to
understand
the warnings
to fathers
the warnings
to parents
to follow
after
to submit
to the
word of
God
Gideon's
story
and Abimelech's
story are
interwoven
it becomes
this unmistakable
conclusion of
what we find
when God's
word is not
the voice of
authority in
our life
and I want to
just draw your
attention to
the first few
verses of
chapter 9
here
we're going to
see this
name that's
used for
Gideon
and what
is that
name
Jerubal
the name
Jerubal
shows up
four times
in the
first five
verses
twice
in verses
one and
two
and twice
in verse
five
verse one
now Abimelech
the son of
Jerubal
went to
Shechem
verse two
which is
better for
you
that all
seventy
sons of
Jerubal
rule over
you
or that
one
rule over
you
then
verse
five
he went
to his
father's
house
at
Ophrah
he killed
his brothers
the sons
of
Jerubal
seventy
men
on one
stone
but Jotham
the youngest
son of
Jerubal
was left
remember
Jerubal
means
let
Baal
contend
or
let
Baal
plead
his own
case
or
let
Baal
defend
himself
and
remember
how
Gideon
gets that
name
well he
gets that
name
because
he goes
into
his
father's
house
and he
removes
the
Baals
and the
Ashteras
he cuts
them down
interestingly
Gideon's
name
means
hewer
it means
one
who
cuts
down
and what
does he
do
his first
act
of Gideon
is to
cut down
the
Baals
and to
cut down
the pole
the Ashtera
he's a
hewer
but after
his victory
we find
this very
noticeable
this very
noticeable
transaction
that happens
all the way
up through
this story
he's been
known as
Gideon
but then
after his
victory
we find
something
astonishing
that takes
place
in verse
27
of chapter
8
Gideon
makes
an
ephod
of it
and he
puts
it in
the city
in
Afra
and all
Israel
hoored
after it
there
so it
became
a snare
to Gideon
and to
his
family
Gideon
hacked
down
cut down
the Baal
and the
Ashtera
and now
Gideon
is raising
up
this
ephod
whatever
this
ephod
is
we'll get
to that
in just
a moment
and
right out
of the
gate
the next
time
we're
introduced
to Gideon
in verse 29
he's now
Jerubal
not Gideon
verse 29
Jerubal
the son of
Joash
went and
lived
in his own
house
and now
in chapter 9
we will not
find him
referred to
Gideon
again
he will only
be referred
to
by this
new name
by this
name
Jerubal
the one
who contends
with Baal
four times
in the first
five verses
once in
verse 16
once in
verse 19
once in
verse 24
once in
verse 28
and once
in verse 57
we find
in Gideon
confused
and compromised
legacy
a man
who
got to
enjoy
and experience
the benefits
of God's
power
through his
life
and because
of this
compromise
that's taking
place in
his heart
the legacy
of pointing
to God
and referring
to his
wonder
and calling
attention
to his
glory
and saying
God has
accomplished
great things
instead of
that
now
he's raised
up this
ephod
and the rest
is history
his legacy
is no longer
about
showcasing
the wonder
of God
but drawing
attention
to himself
and so
it shouldn't
be any
surprise
that Abimelech
picks up
from the
pattern
of his
father
and carries
it
through
to the
next
stage
we find
also
he was
not just
a product
of his
compromised
legacy
but a
product
of his
compromised
worship
and the two
are really
intertwined
here
verses 3
and 4
chapter 9
says
and his
mother's
relatives
spoke
all these
words
on his
behalf
in the
ears
of all
the
leaders
of Shechem
and their
hearts
inclined
to follow
Abimelech
for they
said
he is
our
brother
and they
gave him
70 pieces
of silver
out of the
house
of
Baalberit
with which
Abimelech
hired worthless
and reckless
fellows
who followed
after him
there's several
observations
I want to
just draw
briefly
from
these couple
of verses
and we
might ask
ourselves
this question
again
why does
Abimelech
find himself
to be so
friendly now
with this
pagan world
how is he
able to
be chum
buddies
with the
pagan men
the leaders
of this
city
of Shechem
how has he
departed so
far
from his
family legacy
again the
answer
is sobering
the clues
are given
in our
text
the money
that Abimelech
receives
for his
campaign
that we
will look
at in a
little bit
more as
we go
this campaign
comes from
this treasury
of Baalberit
it should
sound strangely
familiar
Baalberit
we see that
in chapter 8
verse 33
as soon
as Gideon
died
the people
of Israel
turned again
and whored
after the
Baals
and made
Baalberit
their god
did you
notice that
how long
did it take
for the
nation
to abandon
God
and to
follow after
Baal
and Baalberit
how long
immediately
as soon
as Gideon
is dead
this
new allegiance
they've
abandoned
God
they've
turned
to
Baalberit
means
the god
of the
covenant
the lord
of the
covenant
now
you should
understand
the significance
of that
because
Yahweh
is the
covenant
lord
and they
have
abandoned
the covenant
lord
for the
lord
of the
covenant
the
Baal
Berit
in this
house
of
this
Baal
covenant
they
have
displaced
Yahweh
their
own
covenant
god
for the
god
of the
covenant
how did
this
happen
how did
pagan
worship
arrive
how is
it such
a natural
tendency
it was
because the
pattern
was set
long before
Abimelech
ever came
on the
scene
and we
I think
we probably
say it
happened
probably
as early
as what
we find
in
chapter 8
verse 22
it happened
as soon
as this
victory
that God
had given
to
Gideon
as soon
as that
victory
takes place
and ephod
goes up
we find
from chapter
8
verse 28
Midian
was subdued
before the
people of
Israel
they raised
their heads
no more
and the
land had
rest for
40 years
in the
days of
Gideon
I would
submit to
you that
probably
for about
40 years
Gideon
is leading
them
with this
ephod
along this
path
and whatever
this ephod
was
whatever
Gideon's
motivation
would have
been
it was
not
after
God's
pattern
it was
not
according
to God's
instructions
they were
not
following
the law
you see
Shiloh
was where
this
tabernacle
was supposed
to be set
it was
supposed
to be
the
capital
city
as it
were
of
worship
Gideon
thinks
I've got
a better
plan
I'm going
to set
up this
place
of worship
in my
hometown
it's more
convenient
it's easier
for me
we're going
to do
it there
and whatever
the ephod
was that
he designed
was not
the ephod
that was
designated
the ephod
that was
designated
was something
that the
priests
were to
wear
they were
supposed
to go
about
their
priestly
duties
in the
tabernacle
before the
altar
Gideon
thought he
had a
better way
he thought
he had
a better
design
so Gideon
re-centers
this worship
in his
hometown
and he
sets up
his own
means of
interfacing
with God
whatever that
meant
and in
that way
he replaced
this token
of worship
he replaced
it with
this token
of worship
this degraded
worship
which of
course
is
idolatry
any
worship
that's
not
according
to
God's
pattern
any
worship
that's
outside
of
God's
design
is not
true
worship
it's
polluted
worship
it's
corrupt
worship
and so
in that
way
Gideon
becomes
as it
were
the
first
designated
leader
in Israel
to promote
idolatry
from the
front
now
this is
interesting
look with
me
in chapter
8
verse
24
I'll try
to make
this
quick
it says
this
and Gideon
said to
them
let me
make a
request
of you
every
one of
you
give me
the
earrings
from
your
spoil
for
they
had
golden
earrings
because
they
were
Ishmaelites
and they
answered
we will
willingly
give
them
and
they
spread
out
a
cloak
and every
man
threw
in
the
earrings
of
the
spoil
and the
weight
of the
golden
earrings
that he
requested
was
1700
shekels
of gold
besides the
crescent ornaments
the pendants
the purple
garments
worn by the
kings of
Midian
and besides
the collars
that were
around the
necks of
the camels
this was
a
treasure
for
kings
and just
for
comparison
1700
shekels
is
43
pounds
of
gold
equivalent
to about
two and a
half
million
dollars
today
it should
sound
strangely
familiar
Gideon
says
hey
give me
your
earrings
and the
people say
oh
fine
they give
him his
earrings
and out
pops
an
ephod
well
that's
what
happens
in
Exodus
32
right
Exodus
32
1-4
says
the people
gathered
themselves
to Aaron
and said
to him
make gods
for us
who shall
go before
us
so
Aaron
said to
them
take off
the rings
of gold
that are
on your
ears
of your
wives
your sons
and your
daughters
and bring
them to
me
so all
the people
took off
the rings
of gold
that were
in their
ears
and brought
them to
Aaron
he received
the gold
from their
hand
and fashioned
it with
a graving
tool
made
and made
a golden
calf
and they
said
these are
your gods
oh Israel
who brought
you up
out of the
land
of Egypt
the similarities
are unmistakable
give me your
gold earrings
so they do
and out pops
a golden
calf
well
Gideon does
the same
thing
give me
your earrings
1700
shekels
of gold
34 pounds
of gold
and out
pops
an ephod
for the
first time
idolatry
is the
officially
sponsored
by a
leader
of Israel
compromised
worship
we could
talk about
so many
other things
but
but the
compromise
is embedded
in his
heart
in Gideon's
heart
and so
it should
be no
surprise
that Abimelech
then takes
it to
its
fulfillment
he's also
a product
of compromised
rule
a product
of compromised
rule
going back
to chapter 9
Judges chapter 9
we see this
and now Abimelech
the son of Jerubal
went to Shechem
to his mother's
relatives
and said to them
and to the whole
clan of his
mother's family
say in the ears
of all the
leaders of Shechem
which is better
for you
that all 70
of the sons
of Jerubal
rule over you
or that one
rule over you
remember also
that I am
bone
your bone
and of your
flesh
so he makes
his way
to Shechem
Afra was
about 30
miles away
he makes
his way
kind of
to the
trade
center
of Israel
the nation
of Israel
had Shechem
as kind of
the crossroads
it was the
center
of transaction
Gideon
is from
the tribe
of Manasseh
and if you
have your
study guides
for this
morning
you can
kind of
see on
the back
kind of
where
in the
world
is Ephraim
and Manasseh
located
and you
can kind
of see
it's right
there in
the center
you can
see that
Ephraim
and Manasseh
are very
close together
well Shechem
happened to
be on
the edge
not only
of Manasseh
but bordering
Ephraim
and so
it was really
easy for
these
leaders
to give
allegiance
to
Abimelech
Shechem
was one
of the
most
important
crossroads
in Israel's
central
country
it sat
in this
narrow
pass
between
Mount
Gerizim
and Mount
Ebal
which we'll
talk about
in just a
moment
and all
of the
major
crossroads
converged
there
if you
controlled
Shechem
you controlled
Israel
Abimelech
knew that
he knew
this was
the power
center
and he
goes to
a group
of leaders
who we
find out
actually have
the ability
the authority
to make him
king as we'll
see in
verse 6
he's going
to the
power
center
he's
demanding
he's
demanding
to be
king
from them
but
the rule
that was
offered
to his
father
and at
least
kind of
declined
in terms
of lip
service
is going
to be an
offer
or even
a proposal
for that
matter
that Abimelech
will make
make me
king
he's
ambitious
he's
assertive
he's
vicious
where did
this seeming
heart change
happen
how did
this
begin to
cultivate
in Abimelech's
heart
well I think
the answer
is laid out
for us
in the
passage
verse 2
which is
better for
you
that all
70 of
the sons
of Jerubal
rule over
you
or that
one
rule over
you
Abimelech's
not talking
about
possibilities
he's talking
about
reality
the
70 of
his sons
in some
way
were exercising
some measure
of authority
already
in that
region
that's what
puts teeth
in Abimelech's
proposal
if it was
not
reality
then he
has no
ground to
stand on
Abimelech
is saying
well here
is the
reality
you want
70 sons
to rule
over you
or just
me
make your
choice
and of
course the
choice was
easy because
Abimelech is
from the
town
he's part
of them
and we
see all
of this
taking place
we recognize
that Gideon
may not have
accepted the
formal position
of being
king
over Israel
but what
seems clear
from the
text
is that
he acted
as the
de facto
king
one
commentator
says this
whether or
not Gideon
exercised
kingship
his sons
exercised
de facto
power
in a
subject
city
state
and by
their rule
provoked
the unrest
of the
citizens
indicates that
some measure
of rule
was already
happening
and so
Gideon
had set
the course
it was
rule that
was happening
there already
and we
see clues
of this
in our
text
we don't
have time
to really
go in
detail
about them
but you
remember
the accusation
of the
two
Midianite
kings
Ziba
and Zalmunna
in chapter
8 verse
18
they say
as you
were
Gideon
so were
they
speaking of
Gideon's
brothers
every one
of them
resembled
the sons
of a
king
there's
some
resemblance
and that
resemblance
is not just
appearance
that resemblance
is posture
that resemblance
is performance
that resemblance
is authority
it's the
domination
that they
pressed
on the
people
and it
was noticeable
it was noticeable
to these
Midianite
kings
and it's
picked up
and carried
through
by Abimelech
and then
we find
this
in Judges
8
21
then Ziba
and Zalmunna
said
rise up
yourself
Gideon
and fall
upon us
for as
the man
is
so
is his
strength
and Gideon
arose
and he
killed
Ziba
and Zalmunna
he took
the crescent
ornaments
that were
on the
necks
of the
other
camels
it's a
bold
taunt
it's
met
by a
very
bold
response
their
statement
connects
manhood
and strength
to the
ability
to kill
and earlier
Gideon
his weakness
was displayed
his strength
but now
he exerts
himself
he carries
out a
personal
vendetta
and he
exercises
and wants
to demonstrate
yeah
I have
strength
I'm going
to push
through
and I'm
going to
show you
who's
really in
charge
here
in Israel
there's much
more to say
but the evidence
that we find
throughout the
rest of
chapter 8
also demonstrates
this empire
building
posture
of
Gideon
remember
his
concern
in chapter 6
when the
Lord speaks
to him
Lord
how can I
save Israel
behold my
clan
is the
weakest
in Manasseh
and I
am the
least
in my
father's
house
well
the rest
of his
life
serves
the purpose
of changing
and reversing
that problem
many wives
many sons
70 sons
to be specific
and Gideon
is empire
building
he is
doing what
it takes
to
posture
himself
and his
legacy
to be in
charge
to be in
control
he gives
lip service
to I'm not
going to
rule over
you
God's
going to
rule over
you
but the
reality
of it
was
he was
exercising
very strong
dominant
authoritative
leadership
he was in
charge
he was the
answer man
compromised
leadership
he's also
the product
of Bimelech
is
the product
of compromised
violence
aggression
notice verse
five
it says
and he went
to his father's
house at
Aphra
and he killed
his brothers
the sons of
Jerubal
70 men
on one stone
and one thing
we can say
about Bimelech
is he was
he had a plan
and he knew
how to
follow it
through
he's driven
by ambition
and he goes
to these
leaders
and interestingly
the leaders
and the way
that they're
described
here in the
Hebrew text
it used
the word
we have
the translation
lords of
Shechem
the actual
Hebrew word
is Baal
it's the
it's the same
name that's used
throughout the
book of Judges
described
this pagan
god
Baal
and these
lords are
exercising
that kind
of leadership
in Shechem
there's no
wonder why
they're so
corrupt
prior to
Abimelech's
rise
Shechem
appears to
have been
governed
by this
assembly
of notable
leaders
who apparently
have the
authority
to name
a king
that's where
he goes
and he
encourages
them
proposes
to them
hey give
me the
money
that I
need to
fund
this
campaign
which they
do
and all
this financing
comes from
the coffers
of Baal
Berit
this
temple
there in
Shechem
interestingly
he gets
70 shekels
one shekel
for each
of his
brothers
in Leviticus
27 verses
3 to 7
we find
that an
adult male
slave
is worth
50 shekels
so the
price of his
brothers is
pretty cheap
instead of
50 for
one
it's one
for one
and with
his money
Abimelech
hires worthless
and reckless
men and
he comes
and kills
his brothers
on one
stone
what's that
all about
well he
kills them
execution style
they're not
scattered because
they're running
away
he has
gathered them
together
he's probably
come by
surprise
they're totally
unexpected
he gathers
them up
and he
executes them
one after the
other on
one stone
merciless
but what
we see
in the
son
was also
true of
the father
Gideon's
pattern
was also
one
of violence
we see
his violence
that is
extended
towards the
men of
sucketh
and the
men of
penuel
vicious
nature
men who
were afraid
well
Gideon
had been
afraid too
and God's
mercy had
been on
Gideon
but Gideon's
not willing
to extend
any mercy
to these
two
towns
in their
fear
but then
it's telling
we get
towards the
middle portion
of chapter
8
and we
find the
use of
this word
kill
it's used
four times
to describe
the events
in the first
six chapters
of Judges
but it's
going to be
used eight
times
to describe
Gideon
eight times
to describe
the actions
of Gideon
six of them
are in these
final verses
in chapter
eight
the violent
aggressive
hostile
self-serving
nature
of Gideon
is reflected
in his son
no wonder
why Abimelech
is going to
kill his
brothers
no wonder
why he's
after them
there are
no bounds
there are
no moral
boundaries
and that
pattern has
been set
by his
father
but let
me turn
in the
next couple
of minutes
here
there is
hope
okay
it's not
just bad
news
and I think
we see
some shining
hope that
comes
throughout the
rest of
this chapter
and we find
here in
verses 7
to 21
and I want
to just
I'm just
going to
summarize
these last
50 verses
okay
so just
bear with
me here
we see
in verses
7 to 21
this promise
of a better
way
there is
a promise
of a better
way
remember that
Jotham was
saved
alone
because he
hid from
his brother
Abimelech
and God
is going to
use
Jotham
instrumentally
to prove
a case
we find in
verse 7
it says this
when it was
told to
Jotham
he went
and what was
told to him
was that his
brothers were
dead
he went
and stood
on the top
of Mount
Gerizim
he cried
aloud
and he
said to
them
listen to
me
you
leaders
of
Shechem
that God
may listen
to you
there's
several things
I think
we find
here
in this
just this
one verse
that demonstrates
that Jotham
is not like
his brother
Abimelech
and I'm not
suggesting
by the way
that Jotham
has any
really good
motives
here
he may
have just
been really
young
he was
probably
really weak
he might
have been
very timid
and very
fearful
the text
does not
tell us
that
but what
it sets
before us
is this
pattern
of a
better
way
what is
this
better
way
well
you see
it
Jotham
does not
take matters
into his
own hands
he doesn't
act like
his brother
Abimelech
he doesn't
act like
his father
Gideon
he doesn't
take matters
into his
own hands
he experiences
this injustice
that has been
poured out
on his
family
but he
doesn't
take matters
into his
own hands
second
Jotham
is not
resorting
to violence
boy
this would
have been
justified
wouldn't it
for Jotham
even to
secretly
find a way
to get
to Abimelech
and to have
it out
and to see
it through
he doesn't
do that
third
Jotham
is operating
within the
law
and I'll
just show
you that
in just
a moment
here
he's
operating
within
the
law
that
God
has
set
he
becomes
this
good
pattern
for us
of God's
better way
and how
things work
out for
us
when we
follow
God's
design
his
instructions
his
pattern
and
fourth
this is
probably
the best
of all
he appeals
to God
he appeals
to God
he entrusts
this entire
situation
into God's
hands
let God
see
he says
and let
God
be the
judge
vengeance
is mine
I will
repay
says the
Lord
God
and Jotham
for whatever
his motivations
were
pure or
not
becomes
an example
of the
better
way
he stands
on top
of Mount
Gerizim
and just
briefly
to give
you some
context
of why
this is
significant
is because
Mount
Gerizim
was the
place
where
Israel
was to
go
and they
were to
present
the law
back and
forth to
each other
it was
kind of
like this
singing
and response
that's taking
place on
Mount
Gerizim
Mount Gerizim
was the
mount of
blessing
Mount
Ebal
was the
mount of
cursing
and so
they would
work through
the law
and the
six tribes
on the
Gerizim
slopes
would speak
the blessing
parts
and the
tribes
that were
on the
Mount
Ebal
part
would speak
the cursing
part
and here
is Jotham
he goes
to the
Mount
Gerizim
of all
places
the
mount
of
blessing
why
would
he
go
to
the
mount
of
blessing
well
because
that
was
his
tribe's
designated
mountain
he's
appealing
to
Yahweh
the
covenant
God
to
see
and to
exact
punishment
and justice
on
Abimelech
and upon
the
leaders
of Shechem
for their
role
in the
death
of his
brothers
he
entrusts
it
to
him
and
he
does
it
from
Mount
Gerizim
from
all
places
and in
this
story
he
describes
three
different
fruit
bearing
trees
an
olive
tree
a fig
tree
a grapevine
we see
them in
verses
8
through
13
and
the
olive
tree
he
responds
to the
call
to be
king
by
saying
should
I
stop
producing
oil
that
honors
God
and
blesses
the
people
just
so I
can
rule
over
the
other
trees
the
fig
tree
answers
in
verse
11
should
I
stop
producing
my
sweet
and
delicious
fruit
just
so I
can
rule
over
the
other
trees
in
verse
13
but
the
grapevine
replies
should
I
stop
producing
wine
that
brings
joy
to
God
and
people
just
so I
can
rule
over
the
other
trees
and
so
they
resist
the
call
to be
king
because
God
has
given
them
another
role
another
role
to
play
it's
a
role
that
benefits
the
people
it's
not
something
they
can
assume
it's
something
they
need
to
be
given
but
then
in
verse
15
they
come
to
the
thorn
bush
and
they
ask
the
thorn
bush
of
all
things
to
be
king
and
this
thorn
bush
of
course
adds
no
inherent
value
but
harm
and
the
thorns
are
a part
of
this
original
curse
Genesis
chapter
3
17
to
18
talks
about
how
God
cursed
the
ground
he
cursed
the
ground
because
of
Adam
and
Eve's
sin
and
because
of
their
sin
it's
going
to
produce
thorns
and
this
is
the
very
nature
of
Abimelech
he has
one
inherent
quality
the
quality
to
destroy
and
that's
what
we
find
that
works
its
way
out
through
the
rest
of
this
chapter
this
quality
to
destroy
but
lest
you
think
that
Abimelech
and
the
last
word
we
find
in
verses
22
to
57
the
power
of
a
better
king
Jotham
sets
the
right
pattern
he
appeals
to
God
and
he
realizes
that
God
is
sovereign
God
is
in
control
and
verses
22
to
57
help
us
know
the
power
of
that
better
king
verse
22
says
Abimelech
ruled
over
Israel
three
years
and
God
sent
an
evil
spirit
between
Abimelech
and
the
leaders
of
Shechem
dwelt
treacherously
with
Abimelech
that the
violence
done
to the
70
sons
of
Jerubal
might
come
and
their
blood
be laid
on
Abimelech
their
brother
who
killed
them
and
on
the
men
of
Shechem
who
strengthened
his
hands
to
kill
his
brothers
and
the
leaders
of
Shechem
put
men
in
ambush
against
him
on
the
mountaintops
and
they
robbed
all
who
passed
by
along
the
way
and
it
was
told
to
a
conflict
that
by
the
way
is
instrumentally
under
the
hand
of
God
has
answered
God
has
seen
the
covenant
God
has
answered
he's
the
one
who
sends
this
troubling
spirit
this
evil
spirit
and
the
conflict
results
in
extermination
not
only
extermination
of
the
of
the
lords
of
Shechem
but
also
ultimately
the
extermination
of
Abimelech
himself
and
we
get
the
final
assessment
of
this
story
from
verses
56
and
57
it
says
this
thus
God
returned
the
evil
of
Abimelech
which
he
committed
against
his
father
in
killing
his
70
brothers
and
God
also
made
all
the
evil
of
the
men
of
Shechem
return
on
their
heads
and
upon
them
came
the
curse
of
Jotham
the
son
of
Jerubal
God
had
the
last
word
God
is
in
control
so
what
do
we
do
with
this
story
what
do
we
learn
from
Abimelech
I
think
there
are
two
lessons
and
I'm
way
over
time
so
please
forgive
me
I'll
try
to
make
this
quick
the
two
lessons
of
this
story
is
first
understand
and
recognize
the
power
and
maybe
even
say
the
joy
of
family
leadership
God
has
entrusted
to
us
moms
and
dads
the
joy
of
leading
our
families
in
the
way
of
the
Lord
the
beauty
of
this
by
the
way
is
not
that
we
have
to
have
it
all
always
right
and
not
that
our
kids
are
always
going
to
make
the
right
decisions
and
they're
always
going
to
follow
the
Lord
all
the
time
this
is
not
a
guarantee
of
that
but
it
is
an
invitation
for
us
to
trust
in
God
who
writes
the
story
and
there
was
a
point
in
this
story
where
everything
felt
like
it
was
completely
out
of
control
where
Abimelech
had
the
upper
hand
against
his
brothers
but
God
had
the
last
word
parents
don't
be
discouraged
about
your
even
present
or past
failures
as a
parent
be
encouraged
about
the
power
of
God's
word
to
do
the
work
in
your
kids
life
and
continue
to
pray
for
them
continue
to
model
God's
word
for
them
continue
to
trust
the
scriptures
and
to
present
them
to
your
children
and
to
believe
that
God
will
have
the
last
word
with
your
family
don't
be
discouraged
don't
give
up
don't
throw in
the towel
second
is this
that
whether
or not
whether
or not
we
understand
or acknowledge
or even
live
as if
God
were
king
he's
king
he's
in
control
he reigns
and
isn't
it
interesting
Abimelech
which means
my father
is king
was true
not
because
Gideon
was king
but
because
Abimelech's
heavenly father
was king
whether
Abimelech
acknowledged
it or
not
Psalm
2
6
says
I
have
set
my
king
in
Zion
my
holy
hill
Psalm
93
1
says
the
Lord
reigns
he
is
robed
in
majesty
Psalm
96
10
says
say
among
the
nations
the
Lord
reigns
Psalm
97
1
the
Lord
reigns
let
the
earth
rejoice
Psalm
99
1
the
Lord
reigns
let
the
peoples
tremble
Psalm
103
19
the
Lord
has
established
his
throne
in
heaven
and
his
kingdom
rules
over all
that's
the
reality
of
God's
reign
and
whether
we
acknowledge
it or
not
whether
we
bow
our
knee
to
King
Jesus
he's
king
oh
may
God
help
us
to
understand
and to
bow
the
knee
to
King
Jesus
Lord
thank
you
even
for the
hard
stories
that we
read
in the
book
of
Judges
and
thank
you
that
they're
here
for our
benefit
they
instruct
us
they
encourage
us
they
lead
us
they
help
to
point
us
to
a
better
way
Lord
I
pray
that
we
would
be
encouraged
this
morning
not
discouraged
as we
understand
and recognize
the wonder
of your
word
and the
power
of your
word
for
moms
and dads
and even
for
those
who
aren't
married
the
power
of the
word
that
is
transmitted
from your
people
to those
in this
world
I pray
that you
would
allow us
to enjoy
the benefits
personally
and corporately
of that
powerful word
as we seek
to apply it
into our
own lives
and the
lives of
those
we
minister
to
may
you
may
you
be
honored
and
magnified
in
Jesus
name
amen
Thank you.