The
Parable of the Tees was told by Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon. The
occasion for telling the parable is this:
After
Gideon defeated the Midianites, the Israelites wanted to make him king, but he
refused (Judges 8:22-23). He judged Israel and then his seventy sons split the
duty after him. However, after his death, Abimelech, Gideon’s son by a
Shechemite concubine, decided he wanted it all (Judges 9:1-4). He convinced the
Shechemites, his mother’s brethren, into hiring mercenaries, and killed all his
seventy brothers. But the youngest son of Gideon, Jotham, escaped (Judges 9:5).
Abimelech became king of Israel (Judges 9:6).
When
it was told him that Abimelech was made king in Shechem, Jotham climbed up to
Mount Gerizim and loudly proclaimed a parable to the citizens of Shechem.
Jotham began the parable by saying, “One day the trees went out to anoint a
king,” (Judges 9:8). The trees first approached the olive tree, “Be our king.”
The olive tree declined. They then asked the fig tree and the grape vine. They
too, declined. Finally, the trees went to the bramble, “Come be our king.” The
bramble responded, “If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and
take refuge in my shade; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and
devour the cedars of Lebanon” (Judges 9:15).
What
it was saying is this: “If you want be to be king, then be loyal, for if you
don’t, my wrath will come upon you like a devouring fire.”
The
bramble is a worthless thorny shrub. It is a worthless tree, having no benefit
to anyone. Whereas, the olive, fig, and vine, are good trees that produce good
fruits that benefit society. The men of Israel wanted Gideon to be their king;
but he declined (Judges 8:22-23). Likewise, his sons didn’t want the post too;
except the worthless Abimelech. What is Jotham’s parable telling us?
Society,
in all its sections, is full of bramble men, who are striving for every sort of
personal elevation and advantage. The thing in life is that wicked men are the
most ambitious people around. They want to climb as high as possible in
society. They are power hungry, proud, self-seeking, covetous, and vengeful. In
comparison, good men are contented to live peaceful lives with their families.
But
when good people do not want to lead, a wretched “Abimelech” will appear. This
kind of leaders will set themselves on high. All they are eyeing are power and
wealth. They don’t serve the people but themselves. The result is ruins to the
nation.
In
the church there is much vain ambition too. John speaks on one named
Diotrephes, who loved the preeminence (3 John 1:9). God does not want simply
any man who wants to lead in the church to lead. He wants men who are like the
olive, fig and the grape vine. Therefore, He laid down the qualifications for
leaders in the church and called them elders (1 Timothy 3:-1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
We
see it happening in this city in one mega denomination. Its leading pastor,
together with some senior staff, were found guilty of misappropriating the
“church” funds. Crooks will lead when good people stay away.
If
you have the qualities that are stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, you have the
responsibility of leading in God’s kingdom. It is a good work you must do: “This
is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good
work” (1 Timothy 3:1). Are you doing a good work?
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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