Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: January 21, 2007
JOTHAM’S FABLE OF THE BRAMBLE TREE
Ben Justice
Abimelech, the sixth Judge in Israel, is known as “The Bramble King.” This is so
because of the fable Jotham spoke in Judges 9:7-15. Abimelech is not counted
by some as a Judge due to the way he became Judge. Among other things, he
was never called by God to be a Judge over Israel, as were the other Judges. If
he is counted as a Judge, then there were a total of 15 Judges. Abimelech was
the son of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal (Judges 8:35). Gideon’s concubine
of Shechem bore Abimelech (Judges 8:31). Judges 9 tells the account of
Abimelech’s reign in Israel.
Judges 9:1-4 tells us how Abimelech came to power:
And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and
communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father,
saying, (2) Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better
for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons,
reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your
flesh. (3) And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem
all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our
brother. (4) And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of
Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) had 70 seventy sons, from many different
wives (Judges 8:30; 9:2). Abimelech set forth a proposition to the people of
Shechem, whether it would be best for all the sons of Gideon to reign over them
or to have just one rule over them. As the above verses bear out, the people
chose just one, namely Abimelech. They gave him “ten pieces of silver.” With
the money, “Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.” What
did Abimelech do with these “vain and light persons” he hired? Note v. 5-6:
And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of
Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet
Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. (6) And all the men
of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made
Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
Abimelech removed all potential rivals, by murdering his brethren, execution
style — one after another upon one stone. One writer made an excellent
observation concerning the fruits of polygamy: “Mark the evils of polygamy —
producing family discord, extinguishing natural affection, causing civil strife,
multiplying pretenders, and producing an ignoble and contemptible herd of
helpless princes” (Pulpit Commentary — Judges, Pg. 97). As the text reveals,
Jotham, the youngest son escaped the slaughter. How many are like Abimelech
today. They seek to have power and ambition at any and every cost, no matter
whose life has to be taken. There have been many “Abimelech’s” in history. In
more recent times, we think of Sadaam Hussein. While some get away
unpunished for crimes against humanity, Abimelech didn’t (see Judges 9:50-56)
and neither did Hussein and his henchmen (cf. Rom. 13:1-4). It amazes me how
so many can ridicule and make light of the justice that was served. Such need to
go back and read what God did to Abimelech (Judges 9:56) and not only to him
but many other wicked and vile rulers. America is absolutely justified in going
after wicked and evil rulers (Rom. 13:4).
Jotham was told what happened to his brethren (Judges 9:7). When he learned
of this tragedy, “he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his
voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God
may hearken unto you” (v. 7). This is when Jotham spoke the fable of the bramble
tree, which is recorded in v. 8-15. The application of this fable was clearly aimed
at Abimelech and the people of Shechem (v. 16ff). Verses 8-15 state,
The trees went forth on a time to appoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive
tree, Reign thou over us. (9) But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my
fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the
trees? (10) And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. (11) But
the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go
to be promoted over the trees? (12) Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and
reign over us. (13) And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which
cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? (14) Then said all the
trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. (15) And the bramble said unto
the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my
shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
The word “therefore” that begins v. 16 shows that the application of the fable was
to Abimelech and the people of Shechem (v. 16-20). As these verses reveal, the
bramble tree represented the actions of Abimelech. Jotham appealed to the
people of Shechem to think about whether or not they have acted sincerely in
making Abimelech ruler by having Gideon and his sons murdered. Jotham
reminded them of how Gideon fought for them and delivered them out of the
hands of the Midianites (v. 17). Jotham appealed to their sense of justice in
whether or not they had acted justly (v. 19-20). What lessons can we learn from
this account? Note the following:
1.) The bramble tree was a low-growing shrub of thorns. It was without leaves.
It was basically good for nothing but to be burned. In contrast, all the other
trees were useful. Oil, figs, and wine were the most important agricultural
products of Palestine. Many leaders today (in and out of the church) are like the
bramble. There are simply too many who are not willing to accept positions of
responsibility. They rule in an ungodly and irresponsible way. I am reminded of
many judges of late who have acted in such fashion. Society and the church can
pay a heavy price when such people are in these positions.
2.) Greed has often been the motivation for acquiring positions of authority. In
fact, Abimelech murdered his own brethren to gain his position. Indeed, the love
of money is a root of all kinds of evil (I Tim. 6:10).
3.) Judges 9:57 is an interesting verse. It states, “And all the evil of the men of
Shechem did God render unto their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the
son of Jerubbaal.” America is a democracy, but if we vote wicked and immoral
men and women into positions of leadership, then shall God not likewise hold
us accountable?! God held the men of Shechem responsible. When two
candidates stand completely opposite from one another on the abortion issue or
the homosexual issue, and we side with the evil and ungodly, we shall give
account! Remember the men of Shechem!
4.) Abimelech left behind a tragic trail. It is often the case that long after
certain leaders and rulers are gone from the scene that society and the church
suffer for many years. The decisions that politicians make today will affect
future generations. This principle certainly applies to the church. We reap what
we sow (Gal. 6:7-8).
Jotham addressed the political evils of his day, and so must we. Let us learn
the valuable lessons from this OT account (cf. Rom. 15:4).